GUIDE

1. Read the liturgy out loud together (no audio for this)
2. Join in singing the songs (by clicking on the YouTube link – ads are unavoidable, sorry)
3. Work down the page until you reach the prerecorded sermon
4. Listen to the sermon by clicking the on “play” triangle on the left-hand side
5. End with the closing song

LITURGY

BIBLE SENTENCE:

CALL TO WORSHIP:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”    (1 Thess. 5:16-19)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”                                                                             (Eph. 6:1-20)

SONG OF PRAISE:

https://youtu.be/p89jQBLUvuw

INVOCATION:

Eternal, Almighty, and most gracious God: Let Your word come to us in power, and help us receive it in love, with attentive, reverent, and teachable minds. Through Your word, allow us to taste the flavor of eternal life. Make us fervent in prayer and joyful in praise. Help us serve You this day without distraction, that we may find that a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere, and that it is good for us to come near to God; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

HYMN OF WORSHIP:

CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER:

Lord God, we confess that we are so insufficient in our response to You. You have given us everything we need, and yet we are tight-fisted and worried. You show us what is right, and yet we choose wrong and neglect the good. You love us dearly, and yet we go through life nearly ignoring You. Forgive our sin and make us whole again, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Take the next few moments to silently confess your sins, that you might know cleansing forgiveness and the joy of restored life in Him.

WORDS OF COMFORT:

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

THE READING OF GOD’S WORD:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will, he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:2-18)

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord, is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:7-20)

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD:

Those wanting to continue their tithes and offerings during this government-mandated closure may mail their checks to PO Box 247, Roslyn, 98941.

HYMN OF ADORATION:

SERMON

THE WORD OF THE LORD PROCLAIMED: Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown

God Glorifying New Year’s Resolutions
Resolved: To Pray

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“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.
“Resolved: To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
“Resolved: That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration”—Pastor Jonathan Edwards, 18^th century.

CLOSING SONG:

God Be With You Till We Meet Again