The Lord’s Day
June 15, 2008
Prelude
Apostolic Greeting
*Call to Worship Psalm 66:1-4
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!”
“Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.”
“All the earth will worship You, and will sing praises to You”;
“They will sing praises to Your name.”
*Gloria Patri No. 734
*Prayer of Invocation
*Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty No. 53
Public Confession
Forgive our transgressions, heavenly Father, even those committed in our ignorance. Cause us to be grieved by our sin, but confident in Your unfailing promise of pardon.
We have sinned in our speech. We ask that You would cause us to speak words of truth only. We have sinned in our thoughts. We ask that You would cause us to dwell on that which is pure. We have sinned in our neglect of responsibilities. We ask that You would give us diligence in pursuit of righteousness.
Through Christ Jesus we make this appeal. In His holy name we find our hope.
Words of Assurance Romans 3:21-24
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Response The Lord’s My Shepherd (inside front cover)
Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings
Collection of the Tithe and Offerings
*Doxology No. 731
*Declaring Our Faith The Larger Catechism (182-183)
How does the Spirit help us to pray?
Since we do not know what to pray for as we should, the Spirit helps our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom and what, and how prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts those apprehensions, affections, and graces that are requisite for the right performance of that duty.
For whom are we to pray?
We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.
Pastoral Prayer
*Responsive Reading Proverbs 26:15-28
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer.
Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows and death, so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not joking?”
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross are burning lips and a wicked heart.
He who hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Hymn All You That Fear Jehovah’s Name No. 9
*Public Reading of the Word 1 Thessalonians 4
*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word
Sermon Truth and Love 2 John
*Hymn We Are God’s People No. 355
*Benediction
*Threefold Amen No. 740
* Congregation will please stand