Welcome
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.
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.
- You are welcome to print out this week's Children's Bulletin here.
Time of Reflection
“The pursuit of unmediated, mystical knowledge of God is unsanctioned by Scripture, and is dangerous in more than one way... Our access to the knowledge of the living God is mediated exclusively through Christ, whose death and resurrection reconcile us to the living God. To pursue unmediated, mystical knowledge of God is to announce that the person of Christ and his sacrificial work on our behalf are not necessary for the knowledge of God. Sadly, it is easy to delight in mystical experiences, enjoyable and challenging in themselves, without knowing anything of the regenerating power of God, grounded in Christ’s cross work.”
~D.A. Carson, Themelios 36.3, “Spiritual Disciplines”
“A person, seasoned with a just sense of the imperfections of natural reason, will fly to revealed truth with the greatest avidity.”
~David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion
“For Herod had killed this good man [John the Baptist], who had commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, righteousness towards one another and piety towards God. For only thus, in John’s opinion, would the baptism he administered be acceptable to God... Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words.”
~Josephus, Jewish Antiquities
~D.A. Carson, Themelios 36.3, “Spiritual Disciplines”
“A person, seasoned with a just sense of the imperfections of natural reason, will fly to revealed truth with the greatest avidity.”
~David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion
“For Herod had killed this good man [John the Baptist], who had commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, righteousness towards one another and piety towards God. For only thus, in John’s opinion, would the baptism he administered be acceptable to God... Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words.”
~Josephus, Jewish Antiquities
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 118:1-4 (ESV)
LEADER: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
PEOPLE: For his steadfast love endures forever!
LEADER: Let Israel say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let the house of Aaron say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let those who fear the Lord say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
PEOPLE: For his steadfast love endures forever!
LEADER: Let Israel say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let the house of Aaron say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let those who fear the Lord say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
BE THOU MY VISION
(Traditional Irish hymn, trans. Mary E. Byrne, versified by Eleanor H. Hull)
(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.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
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.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
PSALM MEDITATION – Psalm 118:5-24 (ESV)
LEADER: Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.
PEOPLE: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
LEADER: The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
PEOPLE: All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
LEADER: They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
PEOPLE: I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
LEADER: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
PEOPLE: Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
LEADER: The right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
PEOPLE: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
LEADER: The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
PEOPLE: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
LEADER: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
PEOPLE: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
LEADER: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
ALL: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
LEADER: Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.
PEOPLE: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
LEADER: The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
PEOPLE: All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
LEADER: They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
PEOPLE: I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
LEADER: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
PEOPLE: Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
LEADER: The right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
PEOPLE: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
LEADER: The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
PEOPLE: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
LEADER: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
PEOPLE: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
LEADER: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
ALL: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Sharing
(as a lead into the Prayer Time, as a group share how you are feeling and what you are learning; below are suggested questions)
Prayer Time
(You may have an open time of prayer or select someone to pray)
- Pray for our church’s short and long-term meeting place needs, that God would give us favor in the eyes of those in authority and that He would give us provision that would go far beyond all that we could ask or imagine.
- Pray for our world – that the good news of Jesus Christ would flourish and that many would come to know God genuinely and personally.
- Pray for those experiencing injustices; specifically, that God would bring hope, reconciliation, and restoration through the good news of His Son, and that we would be agents of this reconciliation.
- Pray for those in authority at every level in our country, that they would govern wisely and justly.
Listen to Sermon
“John’s Testimony to the Light”
John 1:19-34
preached by Pastor Ryan Bouton
We hope to upload a recording of the sermon from the early service by 11:30 am.
John 1:19-34
preached by Pastor Ryan Bouton
We hope to upload a recording of the sermon from the early service by 11:30 am.
Scripture Passages
John 1:19-34 (NASB)
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” 21 And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
24 And the messengers had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy even to untie the strap of His sandal.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He in behalf of whom I said, ‘After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’ 31 And I did not recognize Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:19-34 (NASB)
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” 21 And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
24 And the messengers had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy even to untie the strap of His sandal.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He in behalf of whom I said, ‘After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’ 31 And I did not recognize Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
Song of Response
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
HERE IS LOVE
(William Rees, 1855; William Edwards, 1915; Matt Giles, Vell Rives)
(William Rees, 1855; William Edwards, 1915; Matt Giles, Vell Rives)
Here is love vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heav’n’s eternal days.
On the Mount of Crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above;
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Here is love that conquered evil:
Christ, the firstborn from the grave;
Death has failed to be found equal
To the life of Him Who saves.
In the valley of our darkness
Dawned His everlasting light;
Perfect love in glorious radiance
Has repelled death’s hellish night.
That same love beyond all measure,
Mocked and slain by hateful men,
Lives and reigns in resurrection
And can never die again.
Here is love for all the ages,
Radiant Sun of Heav’n He stands,
Calling home His Father’s children,
Holding forth His wounded hands.
Here is love, vast as the heavens;
Countless as the stars above
Are the souls that He has ransomed,
Precious daughters, treasured sons.
We are called to feast forever
On a love beyond our time;
Glorious Father, Son, and Spirit
Now with man are intertwined.
©2018 Sovereign Grace Worship (Capitol CMG Publishing). CCLI #1791178
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heav’n’s eternal days.
On the Mount of Crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above;
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Here is love that conquered evil:
Christ, the firstborn from the grave;
Death has failed to be found equal
To the life of Him Who saves.
In the valley of our darkness
Dawned His everlasting light;
Perfect love in glorious radiance
Has repelled death’s hellish night.
That same love beyond all measure,
Mocked and slain by hateful men,
Lives and reigns in resurrection
And can never die again.
Here is love for all the ages,
Radiant Sun of Heav’n He stands,
Calling home His Father’s children,
Holding forth His wounded hands.
Here is love, vast as the heavens;
Countless as the stars above
Are the souls that He has ransomed,
Precious daughters, treasured sons.
We are called to feast forever
On a love beyond our time;
Glorious Father, Son, and Spirit
Now with man are intertwined.
©2018 Sovereign Grace Worship (Capitol CMG Publishing). CCLI #1791178
Confession of Faith
adapted from Revelation 5:6-13
LEADER: And I saw in the middle of the throne a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
CONGREGATION: “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
LEADER: And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
CONGREGATION: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
LEADER: And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them I heard saying,
CONGREGATION: “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever!”
LEADER: And I saw in the middle of the throne a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
CONGREGATION: “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
LEADER: And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
CONGREGATION: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
LEADER: And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them I heard saying,
CONGREGATION: “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever!”
Sharing Time
(have everyone share one thing that struck them from the sermon)
Closing Meditation
Psalm 118:25-29 (ESV)
LEADER: Save us, we pray, O Lord!
PEOPLE: O Lord, we pray, give us success!
LEADER: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
PEOPLE: The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
LEADER: Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
PEOPLE: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
ALL: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
LEADER: Save us, we pray, O Lord!
PEOPLE: O Lord, we pray, give us success!
LEADER: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
PEOPLE: The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
LEADER: Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
PEOPLE: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
ALL: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Benediction
(The leader or individual should read this aloud relishing in the confident assertion that Christ has conquered.)
Luke 12:29-32
LEADER: Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
PEOPLE: Amen!
Luke 12:29-32
LEADER: Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
PEOPLE: Amen!
Worshipping God through Giving
God has called us to be generous. He has entrusted this earth and all that is in it to us, but it is, ultimately, His! The Father gave what was most precious to Him, His own Son, in order to die for our sins. He has given to us abundantly beyond all that we could possibly ask or imagine! He is a benevolent and generous Giver! So, we give.
First, we want to remind you to continue your regular giving to CRC. This supports the ongoing work and ministry here in the Upper Valley and around the world through our missions support. Second, please consider giving to our Benevolence Fund, which supports local community care, both inside and outside the church. This is vitally important right now! As we see needs sprouting up around the community, we want to be positioned to extend a loving hand of support to those in need.
Giving Numbers
Budgeted Giving: $60,570
Actual Giving to Date: $49,928
Difference: (-$10,642)
Missions Giving YTD: $188,751
updated as of 1/20/21
First, we want to remind you to continue your regular giving to CRC. This supports the ongoing work and ministry here in the Upper Valley and around the world through our missions support. Second, please consider giving to our Benevolence Fund, which supports local community care, both inside and outside the church. This is vitally important right now! As we see needs sprouting up around the community, we want to be positioned to extend a loving hand of support to those in need.
Giving Numbers
Budgeted Giving: $60,570
Actual Giving to Date: $49,928
Difference: (-$10,642)
Missions Giving YTD: $188,751
updated as of 1/20/21