by Pastor Joel E. Wood
"Faith Under Fire?"
Acts 23:12-35
https://literalword.com/esv?q=Acts+23:12-35
https://www.newlifelamesa.org/pages/worship-guide
CCLI License #390757

9:30a Service

Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit   “The House of the Lord”
Refrain:
I was glad! I was glad! I was glad when they said unto me, (repeat)
Let us go into the house of the Lord, O let us go to the house of the Lord our God. (repeat)
I was glad, I was glad when they said, Let us go to the house of the Lord, the living God!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, and security within your house.
For my brother and companion’s sake I will say, Peace be to you.
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, peace be within your walls. [Refrain]

I love Thy Kingdom, Lord, the house of Thine abode, 
The Church our blest Redeemer saved, with his own precious blood.
I love Thy Church, O God; Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye, And graven on Thy hand. 
I was glad! I was glad! I was glad when they said, Let us go into the house of the Lord!
Text: based on Psalm 122, adapted by D. P.
        Hymn text: Timothy Dwight, 1800
        Hymn tune: ST THOMAS, by Arron Williams, 1763
        Original Music and Hymn Setting by Dale Peterson

GREETING AND CALL TO WORSHIP   Psalm 105:1–3
Leader: Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
People: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

Leader: Glory in his holy name;
All: Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

PRAYER OF ADORATION, ASSISTANCE, AND BLESSING

Hymnal #455   “And Can It Be”
And can it be that I should gain
an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Refrain: 
Amazing love! How can it be 
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 

'Tis myst'ry all! Th'Immortal dies:
who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries 
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds inquire no more. [Refrain]

He left his Father's throne above 
(so free, so infinite his grace!), 
humbled himself (so great his love!), 
and bled for all his chosen race. 
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; 
for, O my God, it found out me. [Refrain]

Long my imprisoned spirit lay 
fast bound in sin and nature's night; 
thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; 
my chains fell off, my heart was free; 
I rose, went forth, and followed thee. [Refrain] 

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th'eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own. [Refrain]

REFLECTION ON GOD’S LAW
Leader: The First Commandment is:
People: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Leader: But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isa 8:13)
People: Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Rom 12:11)

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF GRACE   Isaiah 43:25

Hymnal #535   “O, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus!”
O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free;
rolling as a mighty ocean
in its fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me,
is the current of thy love;
leading onward, leading homeward,
to thy glorious rest above.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Spread his praise from shore to shore;
how he loveth, ever loveth,
changeth never, nevermore;
how he watches o'er his loved ones,
died to call them all his own;
how for them he intercedeth,
watcheth o'er them from the throne.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Love of ev'ry love the best:
'tis an ocean vast of blessing,
'tis a haven sweet of rest.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
'tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me;
and it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to thee.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH.   Elder Mike Ewing

Psalm 100   “All Earth, With Joy”
All earth, with joy, to the LORD come with loud voices ringing.
With gladness serve the LORD; come to Him joyfully singing.
The LORD is God,
Know that He made us His own.
We are the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, to His courts come praising.
To Him be thankful, and bless His name, your voices raising.
The LORD is good;
His lovingkindness endures,
His faithfulness lasts forever.

GOD’S WORD READ   Acts 23:12-35

GOD’S WORD PREACHED.   “Faith Under Fire?”” by Pastor Joel E. Wood

Prayer of Application and 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 #243   “Praise the Savior Now and Ever”
Praise the Savior now and ever;
praise him, all beneath the skies;
prostrate lying, suff'ring, dying
on the cross, a sacrifice.
Vict'ry gaining, life obtaining,
now in glory he doth rise.

Man's work faileth, Christ's availeth;
he is all our righteousness;
he, our Savior, has forever
set us free from dire distress.
Through his merit we inherit
light and peace and happiness.

Sin's bonds severed, we're delivered;
Christ has bruised the serpent's head;
death no longer is the stronger;
hell itself is captive led.
Christ has risen from death's prison;
o'er the tomb he light has shed.

For his favor, praise for ever
unto God the Father sing;
praise the Savior, praise him ever,
Son of God, our Lord and King.
Praise the Spirit; through Christ's merit
he doth us salvation bring.

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 and 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   “Just As I Am"
Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Chorus:
I come broken to be mended.
I come wounded to be healed.
I come desp’rate to be rescued.
I come empty to be filled.
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ, the Lamb.
And I'm welcomed with open arms, 
Praise God, Just as I am.

Just as I am I would be lost,
But mercy and grace my freedom bought.
And now to glory in Your cross,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Chorus:
I come broken to be mended.
I come wounded to be healed.
I come desp’rate to be rescued.
I come empty to be filled.
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ, the Lamb.
And I'm welcomed with open arms, 
Praise God, Just as I am.
Just as I am.
Charlotte Elliott, David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, Travis Cottrell, William Batchelder Bradbury
© 2009 CCTB Music; First Hand Revelation Music; Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing
CCLI License #390757

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. Amen.

THE BENEDICTION
Postlude