BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown

PRELUDE: “Joyful, Joyful w/ We will Glorify,” arr. Tornquist

Musicians today: Jann Moreshead, 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

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“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern His errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:7-12, 14)

All:  ^“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

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SONG OF PRAISE: “Thanks to God Whose Word Was Spoken”

1 Thanks to God whose Word was spoken In the deed that made the earth.

His the voice that called a nation; His the fires that tried her worth.

God has spoken; God has spoken; Praise him for his open Word.

2 Thanks to God whose Word incarnate Glorified the flesh of man.

Deeds and words and death and rising Tell the grace in heaven’s plan.

God has spoken; God has spoken; Praise him for his open Word.

3 Thanks to God whose Word is answered By the Spirit’s voice within.

Here we drink of joy unmeasured, Life redeemed from death and sin.

God is speaking; God is speaking; Praise Him for His open Word.

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INVOCATION: In Unison

LORD, You are the Rock upon which we stand and mighty to save! We welcome the Holy Spirit to come and be a part of us. We ask that He quicken our hearts and allow Your Word to be the double-edged sword – piercing to the division of our soul and spirit as it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hear us this day as we rejoice in You and proclaim Your name among the nations!

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HYMN OF WORSHIP: “God Has Spoken by His Prophets”

1 God has spoken by the prophets, Spoken his unchanging word,

Each from age to age proclaiming God, the one, the righteous Lord.

In the world’s despair and turmoil, One firm anchor holds us fast:

God eternal reigns forever, God the first and God the last.

2 God has spoken by Christ Jesus, Christ, the everlasting Son,

Brightness of the Father’s glory, With the Father ever one;

Spoken by the Word incarnate, God from God, before time was;

Light from Light, to earth descending, Christ reveals our God to us.

3 God is speaking by the Spirit, Speaking to our hearts again,

In the ageless Word declaring God’s own message, now as then.

Through the rise and fall of nations One sure faith is holding fast:

God abides, his word unchanging, God the first and God the last.

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CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison

O Lord, in our human arrogance, we so often try to set ourselves over You. We decree Your ways wrong, Your law outmoded, Your word obsolete. We live for ourselves, trample on Your glory and neglect Your precepts. But this is our sin, Lord, and we repent. It is pretentious and wrong to judge You, and we are sorry for our sin. For this affront to You and for all our sin, we ask forgiveness and seek restoration, for Jesus’ sake. Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.

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ASSURANCE OF PARDON:

I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Through faith and confession, we are forgiven.         Adapted from Psalm 34

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THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff

OT: Amos 5:4-15a; NT: Eph 6:10-14a & 2 Tim 3:10-4:8

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PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: PSC Member Barbara Jayne

OFFERTORY: “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” arr. Loree

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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 Words of Life”

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1 Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life;

Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life;

Words of life and beauty Teach me faith and duty.

Refrain:

Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life;

Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.

2 Christ, the blessed one, gives to all Wonderful words of life;

Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life;

All so freely given, Wooing us to heaven. [Refrain]

3 Sweetly echo the gospel call, Wonderful words of life;

Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life;

Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify forever. [Refrain]

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THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoff

“A Better than Anything New Year”

—Exploring How Jesus Makes the New Year Better

Part 4: “Cinching Up the Belt of Truth”

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CLOSING SONG: “Standing on the Promises”

1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King, Through eternal ages let his praises ring; Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:

Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;

Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail.When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord, Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall, List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

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