THE LORD’S DAY
BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown
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PRELUDE: “The Heart of Worship,” arr. Wolaver
Pianist today: Robin Phillips
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.
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CALL TO WORSHIP: Elder Marylou Rossman
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name….” (1 Chronicles 16:28-29)
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1)
“Be, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57: 5)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world….to the praise of His glorious grace.” (Ephesians 1:3-6)
“…God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
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SONG OF PRAISE: “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
1 My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
2 I love thee because thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
3 I’ll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
4 In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
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INVOCATION: In Unison
Gracious God, we are humbled by Your mercy because we know You are a just and holy God. We stand before You only in the power of Christ, our Savior. Come Holy Spirit and give us ears to hear Your Word, the ability to imitate those who go before us in faith, and the desire to serve in Your house. Call those needing Your gift of faith and make steadfast those who seek Your divine guidance. This we pray in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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HYMN OF WORSHIP: “My Savior First of All”
1 When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
Chorus:
I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand;
I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him
By the print of the nails in His hand.
2 Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace
That prepared for me a mansion in the sky. [Chorus]
3 Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home,
But I long to meet my Savior first of all. [Chorus]
4 Thro’ the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight,
But I long to meet my Savior first of all. [Chorus]
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CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Lord, forgive our forgetting You this past week; our ignoring that we have been redeemed at great cost by Your precious blood, and now belong to You. Please give us eyes to behold You, O Lord, to grasp with spiritual perception, how wonderful You are – both Your person and Your works – that we might increasingly give You the glory that is due Your Name. Now and in the coming days, search our hearts by Your Holy Spirit. Show us our rebellion, and the things within us that grieve You and block the flow of Your grace and love. Have mercy, on us, dear Lord, for Your Name’s sake. Use the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5: 8-9)
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THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoffrey Brown
Isaiah 48:1-12; Philippians 3:12-22
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OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
Offertory: “What a Friend we have in Jesus,” arr. McMillan
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DOXOLOGY:
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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HYMN OF ADORATION: “Higher Ground”
1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3. I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
4. I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
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SERMON
THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoffrey Brown
“What Does Philippians Have to Do with Roslyn?”
“All the Right Moves”—Imitation as Glorification
“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Philippians 3:17
The sermon will be posted after service Sunday afternoon.
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CLOSING SONG: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
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BENEDICTION
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POSTLUDE
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