Call to Worship | Nehemiah 9:5–6
Hymn No. 34 | The God of Abraham Praise
The God of Abraham praise,
who reigns enthroned above,
Ancient of everlasting days
and God of love.
Jehovah! Great I AM!
by earth and heav’n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name,
forever blest.

The God of Abraham praise,
at whose supreme command
from earth I rise, and seek the joys
at his right hand.
I all on earth forsake,
its wisdom, fame, and pow’r,
and him my only portion make,
my shield and tow’r.

He by himself hath sworn,
I on his oath depend;
I shall, on eagles’ wings upborne,
to heav’n ascend,
I shall behold his face,
I shall his pow’r adore,
and sing the wonders of his grace
forevermore.

The goodly land I see,
with peace and plenty blest,
a land of sacred liberty
and endless rest.
There milk and honey flow,
and oil and wine abound,
and trees of life forever grow,
with mercy crowned.

There dwells the Lord our King,
the Lord our Righteousness,
triumphant o’er the world and sin,
the Prince of Peace.
On Zion’s sacred height
his kingdom he maintains,
and glorious with his saints in light
forever reigns.

The whole triumphant host
gives thanks to God on high;
“Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”
they ever cry.
Hail Abraham’s God and mine!
I join the heav’nly lays;
all might and majesty are thine,
and endless praise.

Text: Thomas Olivers (1770)
Music: Meyer Lyon (1770)
Public Domain.

Invocation

Call to Confession | Galatians 5:19–23
Confession of Sin
Father, we confess that we often live according to the flesh. We rely on what strength this world has to offer—things like money, power, status, intimidation, manipulation, threats, temptations, empty promises. We delight in the pleasures this world has to offer—the gifts, rather than the giver. We evaluate according to the flesh, according to human standards—human standards of beauty, strength, wisdom, wealth, fame. We serve our flesh, catering to our every impulse and desire. Father, we act as if this world is all there is. We act as if there is no you—no Father to serve, no righteousness of Jesus to trust in, no power of the Spirit to rely on, no God to satisfy the deep longings of our soul. Forgive us, Father, for living in unbelief; for trying to be you rather than to worship you; for thinking the world can be for us what only you can be. We thank you for Jesus who is God, but died for our blasphemy; who, though being divine, came in the likeness of sinful flesh, in order to put human rebelliousness to death once and for all. Teach us by your Spirit to live in humble dependence upon you moment by moment and to pursue you in His power. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Grace | Romans 8:1–4
Hymn No. 499 | Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy riven side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure,
cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfil thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears for ever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to thy cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the Fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyelids close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

Text: Thomas Cotterill (1815)
Music: Thomas Hastings (1830)
Public Domain.

Confession of Faith | Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A 106–107

Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

Q. 107. What does the conclusion of the Lord’s prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, which is, For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen, teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power and glory to him. And in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

Proclamation of the Word
Offering in Prayer
Hymn | Thy Mercy, My God
Thy mercy, my God,
is the theme of my song,
the joy of my heart and
the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone,
from the first to the last,
hath won my affections,
and bound my soul fast.

Without Thy sweet mercy
I could not live here;
sin would reduce me
to utter despair;
but, through Thy free goodness,
my spirits revive,
and He that first made me
still keeps me alive.

Thy mercy is more
than a match for my heart,
which wonders to feel
its own hardness depart;
dissolved by Thy goodness,
I fall to the ground,
and weep to the praise
of the mercy I’ve found.

Great Father of mercies,
Thy goodness I own,
and the covenant love
of Thy crucified Son;
all praise to the Spirit,
Whose whisper divine
seals mercy, and pardon,
and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit,
Whose whisper divine
seals mercy, and pardon,
and righteousness mine.

Text: John Stocker · Music: Sandra McCracken
Copyright © 2001 Same Old Dress Music.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Commission & Benediction | Ephesians 6:10–13; Galatians 1:3–5
Life of Worship