1

G R A C E C O M M U N I T Y Presbyterian Church, PCA

ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD October 13, 2019

10:30 AM Reflection:

“There is nothing you can do to get into the family of God but there is a way this new family will live together.” Kevin DeYoung

Prelude Welcome

——————WORSHIP IN PRAISE—————— Silent Preparation Doxology

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, Amen.

Call to Worship..............................................................................Psalm 30

Minister: Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

People: For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Prayer of Invocation..................conclude with the Lord’s Prayer in unison

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thou is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen.

2

Hymn of Invocation...............................................For All the Saints (#358)

“The whole world is a theatre for the display of the divine goodness, wisdom, justice, and power, but the Church is the orchestra, as it were—the most conspicuous part of it; and the nearer the approaches are that God makes to us, the more intimate and condescending the communication of his benefits, the more attentively are we called to consider them.” John Calvin

3

Hymn of Preparation...............................................................Jesus I Come

——————WORSHIP IN CONFESSION AND PARDON——————

Call to Confession.......................................................................Matthew 6 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to

stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

4

Prayer of Confession Words of Comfort and Promise..............................................from John 14

I AM the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Hymn of Response........................................................Power in the Blood

5

Confession of Faith........................The Westminster Confession of Faith Ruling Elder Candidate Sean Henry

Candidate: What is the visible church?

People: The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.

Candidate: What are the special privileges of the visible church?

People: The visible church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him.

Candidate: What is the invisible church?

People: The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.

Candidate: What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?

People: The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory.

When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) take a vow to "sincerely receive and adopt" these confessional documents "as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.”

6

——————WORSHIP AND THE MEANS OF GRACE——————

The First Reading of God’s Word........................................Psalm 51:1-19 p 474

The Second Reading of God’s Word…...........................Acts 14:25-15:35

pp 923-924 Reader: This is the Word of God. People: Amen!

Prayer of Consecration We offer an optional Children’s Church for children 4 years old through 1st grade. If you choose to have your children participate, you may dismiss them for CC as we sing the hymn printed below. Please know we welcome and encourage your children to remain with you during the sermon. However, in CC they will be hearing from the same text that the sermon is based upon, so you may discuss the message as a family after church if you wish to do so.

Hymn of Preparation…........................Blessed Jesus at Your Word (#303)

Hearing from God’s Word…..................................................Acts 15:1-35 Rev. Kyle Oliphint Growing Pains

7

THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Please see instructions on the inside back cover of your bulletin

Use the quotes below to help focus your heart and mind on this celebration: “In Jesus Christ we find the unshakably righteous Holy One who is worthy to live on God’s holy hill. He is the Last Adam who ascends back up to be where the first Adam was: with God. Exodus 23:19 commands: “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.” He is the firstfruits and forerunner of the new humanity (the humanity that in Adam had first been taken from the soil or dust of the earth) now taken into the house of the LORD. It means that there is now a man, a real man with our flesh and blood, our experiences of the world, our humanity, in heaven. A man now sits next to God in perfect harmony.” Mike Reeves “Most of us begin the Christian life knowing that we need to trust in Jesus so that our sins will be forgiven. That is true. But there is much more. In fact ‘every spiritual blessing’ becomes ours in Christ. When we ‘get’ Christ by faith, we ‘get’ everything that is in him to pardon, liberate, and transform our lives.” Sinclair Ferguson "In Christian living, duty and delight go together…To give oneself to hallowing God’s name as one’s life-task means that living, though never a joy ride, will become increasingly a joy road.” Jim Packer “We know of no other way by which to keep the love of the world out of our heart, than to keep in our hearts the love of God—and no other way by which to keep our hearts in the love of God, than building ourselves up on our most holy faith.” Thomas Chalmers “Longing, breathing, and panting after deliverance is a grace in itself, that has a mighty power to conform the soul into the likeness of the thing longed after…unless you long for deliverance you shall not have it. Christ by his death destroying the works of the devil, procuring the Spirit for us, hath so killed sin, as to its reign in believers, that it shall not obtain its end and dominion.” John Owen

8

Communion Hymns

Just As I Am (#501) – Charlotte Elliot/William Bradbury

1. Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 2. Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 3. Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 6. Just as I am, thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be thine, yea thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Jesus, with Thy Church Abide – Thomas Pollock/Christopher Miner

1. Jesus, with Thy church abide; Be her savior, Lord, and Guide, While on earth her faith is tried: We beseech Thee, hear us. (2x) 2. Keep her life and doctrine pure; Grant her patience to endure, Trusting in Thy promise sure: We beseech Thee, hear us. (2x) 3. May she one in doctrine be, One in truth and charity, Winning all to faith in Thee: We beseech Thee, hear us. (2x)

4. May she guide the poor and blind, Seek the lost until she find And the brokenhearted bind: We beseech Thee, hear us. (2x) 5. Save her love from growing cold, Make her watchmen strong and bold, Fence her round, thy peaceful fold: We beseech Thee, hear us. (2x) 6. May she holy triumphs win, Overthrow the hosts of sin, Gather all the nations in: We beseech Thee, hear us. (2x)

What a Friend We Have in Jesus (#629) – Joseph Scriven/Charles Converse

1. What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

9

———————WORSHIP IN GRATITUDE—————— Offertory.............................................My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

My faith has found a resting place, Not in device nor creed;

I trust the Ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea;

It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.

Closing Hymn...................................The Church’s One Foundation (#347)

Benediction

10

For 2019, our church budget is $518,000. We will keep you updated with each monthly total here:

• 1Q: $148,661 • 2Q: $146,593 • 3Q: $138,059

Last three weeks: • 9/29: $9,998 • 10/6: $

Each week we provide a basic Family Worship plan to help our families to more regularly worship together during the week.

Weekly Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation

Shorter Catechism for Young Children –

• Q145: What happens to unbelievers when they die? Answer: Their bodies will return to dust also, but their souls will go to hell.

Shorter Catechism –

• Q35: What is sanctification? Answer: Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Bible Reading:

• Sun – 10/13 – Psalm 104-105 & 2 Chronicles 5-6 • Mon – 10/14 – Psalm 106-107 & 2 Chronicles 7-8 • Tue – 10/15– Psalm 108-109 & 2 Chronicles 9-10 • Wed – 10/16 – Psalm 110-111 & 2 Chronicles 11-12 • Thurs – 10/17 – Psalm 112-113 & 2 Chronicles 13-14 • Fri – 10/18– Psalm 114-115 & 2 Chronicles 15-16 • Sat – 10/19– Psalm 116-118 & 2 Chronicles 17-18

Next Week’s Passages:

• Preaching: Acts 15:36-16:15

Nursery Volunteers (please arrive by 10:15)

• Today: Dave and Meagan Dennison • Next week: Alan and Katie Eaves

§ 10/27: Jeff and Kierra Edgar

§ 11/2: Rodney and Becca Ellison

§ 11/9: Josh and Lisa Emrich

11

Daily Bible Reflections:

Part of our covenantal focus at Grace is providing multigenerational interaction and growth. We want to provide questions for you to study God’s Word with not only your family, but to invite other church family members to study it with you.

1. Sunday: a. Read Ezekiel 13— Who did God tell Ezekiel to prophesy to in v1-2?

What had the prophets of Israel actually seen in v3? What animal did Ezekiel compare the false prophets to in v5? What attitude did God take toward the false prophets in v8? What way did the Lord promise to silence the false prophets in, according to v9? What would God prove by delivering His people from the false prophets in v23?

2. Monday: a. Read Ezekiel 14— Who had come to visit and inquire of Ezekiel the

prophet in v1? What did God reveal to Ezekiel about the elders who came to him in v3? What message was Ezekiel instructed to give the elders about their duplicity in v4? What did God call the people to do immediately in v6? What did God call the people to do immediately in v7-8? What three great servants of God are used for Ezekiel’s examples of faithfulness in v14?

3. Tuesday: a. Read Ezekiel 15— What is required of the people to do in verse two?

What is required of the people to do in verse three? Why did God vow to treat the remnant of His people in Jerusalem like a vine thrown into the fire, according to v6-8?

4. Wednesday: a. Read Ezekiel 16— What reception did the allegorical Jerusalem get at

the time of her birth in v3-5? Into what relationship did God enter with the woman when she was grown in v8? How are God’s blessings to His people described in the allegory Ezekiel told in v9-14? How did Jerusalem respond to God’s love and her good fortune, according to v15-19? What punishment does God detail for Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness, according to v35-43? What did God promise to do for Israel in the final analysis in v59-63?

5. Thursday: a. Read Ezekiel 17— What is described in the parable told by Ezekiel

in v1-6? What fate did God predict for the “unfaithful” vine in v9-10? How did God explain the allegory of the two eagles and the vine in v11-15? After all of this destruction, what did God intend to do with a “shoot” in v22-24?

12

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Annual Progressive Dinner:

• Mark your calendars now and reserve your babysitting for our annual progressive dinner on Saturday, December 14th, from 5-10 pm. We need families to host for appetizers and dinner so please RSVP with Meagan Dennison for more information.

Student Ministries of Grace:

• Skate Land BFG: join us tomorrow, October 14th, from 1-4 pm for a great time skating and hanging out. Cost is $10 and is for all of our middle and high school students.

• Roots Discipleship Ministry: our covenant ministry to our students and their families will next meet on Wednesday night, October 23rd, from 7-8:30, covering different theological and pastoral issues as young disciples in Christ. We will be covering chapter 3 of this semester’s readings. Our HS leadership team will be leading this week!

Guys of Grace:

• Men’s prayer meeting: every Tuesday morning from 6:15-7 in the conference room. Coffee and fellowship provided.

• Men’s Bible study will next be meeting on Wednesday night, October 22nd, from 7-8:30in the church conference room. This fall we will be finishing our study of the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Scripture passages that support it. For more information please contact Sean Henry at seanph10@yahoo.com or 678-438-5720.

Ladies of Grace:

• Our fall Bible study of the book of Philippians will meet this Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Debbie Goelz (dkgoelz@gmail.com)