Guide for Home Worship

Thank you so much for joining us! The following page will take you through the order of worship for this Sunday.

If you are new, welcome! We also want to invite you to learn more about us. You can do so by selecting the button below.

A few tips for parents:

• Plan for your time – read through the guide and prepare the room where you are gathering
• Make your time joyful – have fun!!!
• Remember, it’s primarily about a relationship, not a task to scratch off
• Have your kids participate in age and maturity appropriate ways – reading, singing, etc.
  

“While other worldviews lead us to sit in the midst of life’s joys, foreseeing the coming sorrows, Christianity empowers its people to sit in the midst of this world’s sorrows, tasting the coming joy.”
~Tim Keller (1950-present), pastor and writer

“Mao thought he could eliminate religion. He thought he had accomplished this. It’s ironic – they didn’t. They actually failed completely.”
~Yang Fenggang, professor of sociology, on the rise of Christianity in China

“We do not render to him the honor which is his due unless we are fully persuaded that his judgment seat is a sacred sanctuary for all who are in affliction and unrighteously oppressed.”
~John Calvin (1509-1964), reformation leader in Geneva, on Psalm 11

“The fall [into sin] also entrenched in our minds dark thoughts of God, thoughts that are only dug out over multiple exposures to the gospel over many years.”
~Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners by Dane Ortlund

“To walk before God means so to walk as to have the thought of God’s presence and supervision constantly in mind, and to shape one’s conduct accordingly.”
~Geerhardus Vos (1862-1949), Dutch-American theologian

1 Corinthians 1:18-21, 25, 30-31 (NIV)

LEADER: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

CONGREGATION: For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

LEADER: For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

CONGREGATION: For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

LEADER: It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

CONGREGATION: Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
(Martin Luther, 1529)

A mighty fortress is our God
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus it is He,
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim–
We tremble not at Him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo His doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
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Psalm 116:1-7 (NIV)

LEADER: I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

CONGREGATION: Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

LEADER: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

CONGREGATION: Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!”

LEADER: The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

CONGREGATION: The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US
(Stuart Townend)

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.
^{©1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI#1791178}

“What to Do When the Foundations Are Destroyed”
preached by Pastor Don Willeman

The Apostle’s Creed (circa 5th century)

LEADER: Christian, what do you believe?

CONGREGATION: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell*.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic** church; the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.

^{*i.e. suffered under the judgment of God for His people
**i.e. “universal”}

BE THOU MY VISION
(Traditional Irish hymn, trans. Mary E. Byrne, versified by Eleanor H. Hull)

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’ns Sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
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