by Pastor Joel E. Wood

Counting the Ways (Joyfully Loving God)

1 Peter 1:1-5

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=1+Peter+1:1-5

https://www.newlifelamesa.org/pages/worship-guide

CCLI License #390757

 

9:30a Service

Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit.  “To Us Is Born Immanuel”

To us is born Immanuel, Christ our Lord; 

As foretold by Gabriel, Christ our Lord:

He who is our Savior and King adored. 

Here in a manger lying low, Christ our Lord;

Yet this child is God, we know, Christ our Lord:

He who is our Savior and King adored.

There falls on us a radiant light, Christ our Lord;

Born of Mary, virgin bright, Christ our Lord:

He who is our Savior and King adored.

Father and Son we praise today, Christ our Lord;

And the Holy Ghost alway, Christ our Lord:

He who is our Savior and King adored.

GREETING & CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

People: Let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

Leader: For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,

People: And the sheep of his hand.

All: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. 

PRAYER OF ADORATION, ASSISTANCE, & BLESSING

Hymnal #167   "When Morning Gilds the Skies”

When morning gilds the skies, 
my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
Alike at work and prayer
to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

When sleep her balm denies,
my silent spirit sighs:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
When evil thoughts molest,
with this I shield my breast:
May Jesus Christ be praised

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

In heav'n's eternal bliss
the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
The pow'rs of darkness fear,
when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

Let earth's wide circle round
in joyful notes resound:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
Let air and sea and sky,
from depth to height, reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

Be this, while life is mine,
my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
Be this th'eternal song,
through all the ages on:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

REFLECTION ON GOD’S LAW

Leader: The sum of the four commandments, which contain our duty to God, is:

People: To love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind

Leader: As Jesus told Satan:

People: You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

Hymnal #629   “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
ev'rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
ev'rything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged:
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful,
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness–
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH   Elder Bill Wood

Psalm 62:1-8   "My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone”

My soul finds rest in God alone;

Salvation comes from Him.

He’s my salvation, fortress, rock;

Unshaken I’ll remain.

How long will you attack a man,

By murder make him fall,

As though he were a tott’ring fence,

Or like a leaning wall?

They plot to bring him toppling down,

In lies they take delight;

And as they bless him with their mouth,

In heart they curse with spite.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone,

For my hope comes from Him.

He’s my salvation, fortress, rock;

Unshaken I’ll remain.

On God alone my glory rests,

And my salvation sure.

God is my mighty rock of strength,

My refuge most secure.

In Him, O people, at all times

Rely with confidence;

Before Him, now, pour out your heart,

For God is our defense.

GOD’S WORD READ   1 Peter 1:1-5

GOD’S WORD PREACHED.   “Counting the Ways (Joyfully Loving God)” by Pastor Joel E. Wood

Prayer Of Application & The Lord’s Prayer

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Hymnal #176   “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!”

Hail, thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us:
thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, thou agonizing Savior,
bearer of our sin and shame!
By thy merits we find favor;
life is given through thy name.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
all our sins were on thee laid;
by almighty love anointed,
thou hast full atonement made.
All thy people are forgiven
through the virtue of thy blood;
opened is the gate of heaven;
peace is made 'twixt man and God.

Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory,
there forever to abide;
all the heav'nly hosts adore thee,
seated at thy Father's side.
There for sinners thou art pleading;
there thou dost our place prepare;
ever for us interceding
till in glory we appear.

Worship, honor, pow'r, and blessing
thou art worthy to receive;
loudest praises, without ceasing,
meet it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
bring your sweetest, noblest lays;
help to sing our Savior's merits,
help to chant Emmanuel's praise!

Hymnal p. 845   “Apostles’ Creed”

Minister: Christian, what do you believe? 

All:  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 Almighty. From there he will 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. 

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Words of Institution & Warning

Minister: The Lord be with you;

People: And also with you.

Minister: Lift up your hearts;

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God;

People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

COMMUNION PRAYER

Approach the Table for the Lord’s Supper

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Song   “We Will Feast in the House of Zion”

Chorus

We will feast in the house of Zion.

We will sing with our hearts restored.

He has done great things, we will say together.

We will feast and weep no more.

We will not be burned by the fire;

He is the Lord, our God.

We are not consumed by the flood;

Upheld, protected, gathered up. [Chorus]

In the dark of night, before the dawn,

My soul, be not afraid.

For the promised morning, oh, how long?

Oh, God of Jacob, be my strength. [Chorus]

Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed,

You are the faithful one.

And from the garden to the grave,

Bind us together, bring shalom. [Chorus]

Trinity Hymnal #731  “Doxology”

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below:

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

THE BENEDICTION

Postlude