MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
January 29, 2023
Psalm 122:1
“I was glad when they said to me,
‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”
OUR PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude – As the instruments play, let us prepare ourselves for worship as we enter into the presence of the Lord. Take time to read the “Puritan Prayer” on the back of the bulletin in preparation for worship, and the Silent Prayer here in the order of worship.
Silent Prayer —O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
OUR ADORATION OF GOD
Call to Worship— Psalm 8:1
Pastor: “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth,
who have set Your glory above the heavens!”
Congregation: O LORD, our Lord! How excellent is your name in all the earth!
Trinity Psalter — Psalm 8
Invocation
OUR PROCLAMATION OF FAITH
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day, he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father, the Almighty.
From there, he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy, universal church, the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer for Unity
Hymn 9 – All You that Fear Jehovah’s Name
Reading of the Heidelberg Catechism Questions 12-15
12 Q. According to God’s righteous judgment we deserve punishment
both in this world and forever after: how then can we escape
this punishment and return to God’s favor?
A. God requires that His justice be satisfied.
Therefore the claims of His justice must be paid in full,
either by ourselves or another.
13 Q. Can we pay this debt ourselves?
A. Certainly not. Actually, we increase our guilt every day.
14 Q. Can another creature – any at all – pay this debt for us?
A. No.
To begin with, God will not punish another creature
for what a human is guilty of.
Besides, no mere creature can bear the weight
of God’s eternal anger against sin and release others from it.
15 Q. What kind of mediator and deliverer
should we look for then?
A. One who is truly human and truly righteous,
yet more powerful than all creatures,
that is, one who is also true God.
Hymn 500 – Rock of Ages Cleft for Me
OUR CONFESSION OF SIN AND THE MEANS OF GRACE
Pastoral Prayer
Offering
Psalter Reading– Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph.
God stands in the congregation of the mighty;
He judges among the gods.
How long will you judge unjustly,
And show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the poor and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.
They do not know, nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are unstable.
I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”
Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations.
Message
OUR RESPONSE AND BLESSING
Hymn 299 – Look Ye Saints the Sight is Glorious
Benediction followed by Silent Prayer