Musicians today: Robin Phillips, pianist; 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: Craig Ditman

“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 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)

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” (2 Thes. 2: 13-14)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”  (2 Thes. 2: 16-17)

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thes. 3:5)
.
SONG OF PRAISE: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
,

1 O for a thousand tongues to sing

my great Redeemer’s praise,

the glories of my God and King,

the triumphs of his grace!

2 Jesus! the name that charms our fears,

that bids our sorrows cease,

’tis music in the sinner’s ears,

’tis life and health and peace.

3 He breaks the power of cancelled sin,

he sets the prisoner free;

his blood can make the foulest clean;

his blood availed for me.

4 Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise ye dumb,

Your loosend tongues employ;

Ye blind, behold you Savior come;

And leap, ye lame, for joy.

5 My gracious Master and my God,

INVOCATION: In Unison

LORD God of Israel and Father of Jesus Christ Your royal son, our King, You alone are our God and the wonder worker of Your creation. O, that You might grant to us to ascend Your hill, united in Christ and empowered by Your Holy Spirit, that we may serve You and bless Your name in the singing of our hymns and psalms, in the prayers cast at Your feet and in receiving Your word to the nourishment of our souls. It is into Your hands that we place ourselves and our worship, humbly asking You to glorify Yourself. For to You be all service, blessing and adoration, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
.
HYMN OF WORSHIP: “As the Deer”

1 As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my heart’s desire

And I long to worship Thee

(Refrain) You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart’s desire

And I long to worship Thee

2 You’re my friend

And You are my brother

Even though You are a King

I love You more than any other

So much more than anything (Refrain)

3 I want You more than gold or silver

Only You can satisfy

You alone are the real joy giver

And the apple of my eye (Refrain)
.
CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison

Lord, I have sinned times without number and been guilty of pride and unbelief, and of neglect to seek You in my daily life. My sins and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I thank You that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Deliver me from every evil habit, every interest of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of Your grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in You. Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.

.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:

We can rejoice! For who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. In Jesus, we are forgiven.

.
THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Elder Craig Ditman

Psalm 121; 2 Corinthians 8: 1-12

.
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise HIm above ye heavenly host

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Leaning on the everlasting arms

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine

Leaning on the everlasting arms

(Refrain) Leaning, leaning

Safe and secure from all alarms

Leaning, leaning

Leaning on the everlasting arms

2 Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day

Leaning on the everlasting arms. (Refrain)

3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear

Leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near

Leaning on the everlasting arms (Refrain)

---

---

1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

(Refrain) This is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior, all the day long;

this is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior all the day long.

2 Perfect submission, perfect delight,

visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

angels descending, bring from above

echoes of mercy, whispers of love. (Refrain)

3 Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

filled with his goodness, lost in his love.  (Refrain)

.
WE DEPART TO GLORIFY GOD WITH ALL THAT WE ARE IN ALL THAT WE DO