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G R A C E C O M M U N I T Y Presbyterian Church, PCA

ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD October 7, 2018

10:30 AM Reflection:

“Faith is not simply a private matter, or something we practice once a week at church. Rather, it should have a contagious effect on the broader world.” Philip Yancey

Prelude Welcome

——————WORSHIP IN PRAISE—————— Silent Preparation Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen.

Call to Worship......................................................................Revelation 1 Minister: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and

who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of kings on earth.

People: To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Minister: Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.

People: Even so. Amen!

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Hymn of Adoration..............................................Fairest Lord Jesus (#170)

Prayer of Adoration

“With all due respect to the religions of the world, there is no other story like the Christian story. The god who thunders, the god who persecutes and condemns, the god who wreaks vengeance - yes, we know this god from the caricatures. We know this god from the old paintings. We know this god from hearing continual references to "the Old Testament God." But this is not who God is. "The Old Testament God" is the one who has come down from his throne on high into the world of sinful human flesh and of his own free will and decision has come under his own judgment in order to deliver us from everlasting condemnation and bring us into eternal life. He has not required human sacrifice; he has himself become the human sacrifice. He has not turned us over and forsaken us; he was himself turned over and forsaken. This is what the Old Testament prophet Isaiah says: ‘Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.” Fleming Rutledge

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Hymn of Preparation..............................Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

——————WORSHIP IN CONFESSION AND PARDON—————— Call to Confession...............................................................from Matthew 6

• Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Prayer of Confession Words of Comfort and Promise............................................from 1 John 1

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Hymn of Response..........................O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus (#535)

“As I read the [Gospels] about Jesus I cannot help but conclude that though the world may be tilted toward the rich and powerful, God is tilted toward the underdog. Power, no matter how well-intentioned, tends to cause suffering. Love, being vulnerable, absorbs it. In a point of convergence on a hill called Calvary, God renounced the one for the sake of the other.” Philip Yancey

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Confession of Faith …..............................from The Heidelberg Catechism Ruling Elder Andrew Caudal

Elder: What is your only comfort in life and death? People: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul,

both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Elder: What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy

of this comfort? People: First, how great my sins and misery are; second, how I

am delivered from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.

Elder: Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace

alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?

People: Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also

renews us by his Holy Spirit to be his image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for his benefits, and he may be praised by us. Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbors for Christ.

The Heidelberg Catechism, written in 1563, originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity in the Palatinate, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well. It is a remarkably warm-hearted and personalized confession of faith, eminently deserving of its popularity among Reformed churches to the present day.

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——————WORSHIP AND THE MEANS OF GRACE—————

The First Reading of God’s Word...........................1 Chronicles 29:10-18 p 357

The Second Reading of God’s Word......................................Luke 16:1-18

p 875 Reader: This is the Word of God. People: Amen! Prayer of Consecration

We offer an optional Children’s Church for children 4 years old through 1st grade. If you choose to have your children participate, you may dismiss them for CC as we sing the hymn printed below. Please know we welcome and encourage your children to remain with you during the sermon. However, in CC they will be hearing from the same text that the sermon is based upon, so you may discuss the message as a family after church if you wish to do so.

Hymn of Preparation...................................Forever Settled in the Heav’ns

Hearing from God’s Word....................................................Luke 16:1-18 Rev. Davis W. Morgan More Than Meets the Eye

WLC 160: What is required of those that hear the word preached? A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

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THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Please see instructions on the inside back cover of your bulletin

Use the quotes below to help focus your heart and mind on this celebration: “The One who has done the greatest thing of all for you, must be concerned about you in everything, and though the clouds are thick and you cannot see His face, you know He is there. 'Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.' Now hold on to that. You say that you do not see His smile. I agree that these earth born clouds prevent my seeing Him, but He is there and He will never allow anything finally harmful to take place. Nothing can happen to you but what He allows, I do not care what it may be, some great disappointment, perhaps, or it may be an illness, it may be a tragedy of some sort, I do not know what it is, but you can be certain of this, that God permits that thing to happen to you because it is ultimately for your good. 'Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness...'” Martyn Lloyd-Jones “There, poor sinner, take my garment, and put it on; you shall stand before God as if you were Christ, and I will stand before God as if I had been the sinner; I will suffer in the sinner's stead, and you shall be rewarded for works that you did not do, but which I did for you." Charles Spurgeon "Not to be occupied with your sin, but to be occupied with God brings deliverance from self." Andrew Murray “The soul of a true Christian, as I then wrote my meditations, appeared like such a little white flower as we see in the spring of the year; low and humble on the ground, opening its bosom to receive the pleasant beams of the sun's glory; rejoicing as it were in a calm rapture; diffusing around a sweet fragrancy; standing peacefully and lovingly, in the midst of other flowers round about; all in like manner opening their bosoms to drink in the light of the sun. There was no part of creature holiness, that I had so great a sense of its loveliness, as humility, brokenness of heart and poverty of spirit; and there was nothing that I so earnestly longed for. My heart panted after this - to lie low before God, as in the dust; that I might be nothing, and that God might be all, that I might become as a little child.” Jonathan Edwards

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Communion Hymns

God Be Merciful to Me (Psalm 51) – Scottish Psalter/Christopher Miner 1. God, be merciful to me; On Thy grace I rest my plea Plenteous in compassion Thou, Blot out my transgressions now; Wash me, make me pure within; Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin. 2. My transgressions I confess; Grief and guilt my soul oppress. I have sinned against Thy grace, And provoked Thee to Thy face. I confess Thy judgement just; Speechless, I Thy mercy trust. 3. I am evil, born in sin; Thou desirest truth within. Thou alone my Savior art, Teach Thy wisdom to my heart; Make me pure, Thy grace bestow, Wash me whiter than the snow.

4. Broken, humbled to the dust By Thy wrath and judgment just, Let my contrite heart rejoice, And in gladness hear Thy voice; From my sins O hide Thy face, Blot them out in boundless grace. 5. Gracious God, my heart renew, Make my spirit right and true. Cast me not away from Thee, Let Thy Spirit dwell in me; Thy salvation's joy impart, Steadfast make my willing heart. 6. Sinners then shall learn from me, And return, O God, to Thee Savior all my guilt remove, And my tongue shall sing Thy love Touch my silent lips, O Lord, And my mouth shall praise accord.

Thy Mercy, My God – John Stocker/Sandra McCracken 1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song, The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue; Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last, Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast. 2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here; Sin would reduce me to utter despair; But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive, And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart, Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart; Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground, And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found. 4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own, And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son; All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

Beautiful Savior – Stuart Townend 1. All my days I will sing this song of gladness, Give my praise to the Fountain of delights; For in my helplessness You heard my cry, And waves of mercy poured down on my life. Chorus: Beautiful Savior, Wonderful Counselor, Clothed in majesty, Lord of history, You're the Way, the Truth, the Life. Star of the Morning, glorious in holiness, You're the Risen One, heaven's Champion And You reign, You reign over all.

2. I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer, I will sing of the blood that never fails; Of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed, Of death defeated and life without end. Chorus 3. I long to be where the praise is never-ending, Yearn to dwell where the glory never fades; Where countless worshippers will share one song, And cries of 'worthy' will honor the Lamb! Chorus

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———————WORSHIP IN GRATITUDE—————— Offertory.........................................The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

The heavens declare the glory of God, The skies proclaim his handiwork.

The heavens declare the glory of God, The skies proclaim the Lord forevermore, forevermore!

Closing Hymn........................................We Will Feast in the House of Zion

Benediction

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For 2018, our church budget is $501,023. We will keep you updated with each monthly total here:

• 1st Quarter: $129,472 • 2nd Quarter: $133,124

• July: $50,088 • Aug: $41,290

For 2018, we are providing a basic Family Worship plan to help our families to more regularly worship together during the week.

Weekly Hymn: O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus Shorter Catechism for Young Children –

• Q89: How is the word made effectual to salvation? • Answer: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the

preaching, of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.

Shorter Catechism –

• Q89: What does the third commandment teach you? Answer: To treat God's name, word and works with reverence.

Bible Reading:

• Sun – 10/7– Revelation 16 & Psalm 148-149 • Mon – 10/8 – Revelation 17 & Psalm 150 • Tue – 10/9 – Revelation 18 & Proverbs 1-2 • Wed – 10/10 – Revelation 19 & Proverbs 3-4 • Thurs – 10/11 – Revelation 20 & Proverbs 5-6 • Fri – 10/12 – Revelation 21 & Proverbs 7-8 • Sat – 10/13 – Revelation 22 & Proverbs 9-10

Next Week’s Preaching Passage:

• Luke 16:19-31

Nursery Volunteers (please arrive by 10:15) • Today: Rodney and Becca Ellison

• Next week: Josh and Lisa Emrich § 10/21: Tim and Sarah Farrar § 10/28: Joe and Jeanette Faulkner § 11/4: Doug and Karen Flowers

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Daily Bible Reflections:

Part of our covenantal focus at Grace is providing multigenerational interaction and growth. We want to provide two questions a day for you to study God’s Word with not only your family, but to invite other church family members to study it with you.

1. Sunday: a. Read Revelation 16: What do the seven bowls represent in terms of God’s

dealings with sinful mankind? Why is such certain eschatological judgment a comfort to God’s people? How should it inform the way we think and live as pilgrims in this present age (v7, 15)?

b. Read Psalm 148-149: What is the motivation to worship God? Reflect on the different ways God moves you to worship and obey and share with your family.

2. Monday: a. Read Revelation 17: Who introduces the scene? What is the authority behind

him? What is the principal character like? What is she like in appearance? What is she like morally? What actions of hers show her character? What in our day is like this figure? How is she manifesting herself? How should we respond in our day?

b. Read Psalm 150: What was made to “praise the Lord?” How can you apply this psalm this week when faced with difficult circumstances? Reflect on how your family can use this psalm in your daily interactions.

3. Tuesday: a. Read Revelation 18: What does Babylon represent (17:1-6)? What has happened

to her? What does the second message (18:4–8) tell people to do and why? What do we learn about the justice of God in this passage? What does God want our reaction to be to this whole passage (v20)?

b. Read Proverbs 1-2: What is the purpose of the book (1:1-7)? What role does the fear of the Lord play in fulfilling that purpose? Make a list of all the things wisdoms does according to the preacher and discuss how they might apply for you.

4. Wednesday: a. Read Revelation 19: What is being celebrated? Who is celebrating and who is

being celebrated? How should these verses encourage Christians during times of distress? What are the principle characteristics of the Lord Jesus (v11-19)? What do we learn about what Jesus will do upon His return? How should this passage affect Christian believers now?

b. Read Proverbs 3-4: What is needed in order for God to “direct our paths” (3:5-6)? What does the father want the son to get more anything else from him (4:4-5)? What role does wisdom play in guarding the heart (4:23)?

5. Thursday: a. Read Revelation 20: What do we learn about God, Satan, the righteous and the

wicked in this chapter? What is the “Book of Life”? Whose names are written in it (see 13:8; 17:8)? How should we as believers live in light of this certain future?

b. Read Proverbs 5-6: What practical ethics does the father now apply God’s wisdom to? How is one’s attitude towards relationships, the marriage bed, work, and overall morals shaped by wisdom?

6. Friday: a. Read Revelation 21: What will happen as the end of the age? What is at the

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center of this picture (hint: the heavenly __)? What role does God play in the future events? Reflect on how such cosmic glory might inform the way you and your family live this week.

b. Read Proverbs 7-8: How should the commandments of the Lord be kept (v2-3)? What does youthful indiscretion lead to (v5-8)? What does God offer to counter such foolishness (8:1-10)? How does our union with Christ shape our ethics (see Col. 3:1-10)?

7. Saturday: a. Read Revelation 22: What analogies are there to creation? What is the cause for

hope and encouragement? How could you look differently at yourself and your life in this world, because of this passage? What do we learn about the book of Revelation as a whole from this passage?

b. Read Proverbs 9-10: What does a wise man do when he receives instruction (v9)? Where does the journey of becoming wise begin (v10)? How does the fear of the Lord shape your worldview and relationships?

UPCOMING EVENTS: Church Picnic:

• Today we will have a church-wide picnic in the Geneva Pavilion right after church. Bring a picnic lunch for your family and a dessert to share. Beverages will be provided. Please join us!

Officer Nominations: • Members of GCPC will be able to nominate men for the office of Elder or

Deacon beginning October 8. All member families should have received nomination booklets in the mail. You may pick up additional booklets near the bulletin table or access and print addition booklets from the Members Only page of our web site gcpcfw.org. Members: Please prayerfully consider if God has brought men to our church to serve Him and you as an officer of His church.

Student Ministries of Grace: • Roots: today from 12:30-2, chapter 3 in our d-group books. Join us! • Alley Cats: our BFG for October will be on Saturday, 10/27, from 5:30-7:30.

Guys of Grace: text @goggr to 81010 for updates • Our dates for our Bible study for October are 10/10 and 10/24 at 7 pm at the

church. For more information contact Sean Henry at seanph10@yahoo.com. Ladies of Grace: text @loggr to 81010 for updates

• Mentorship Opportunity: we are looking for mentors for our middle and high school girls! If you’d like to help out please see Audrey Campbell or Ann Geer.

• The Women's fall Bible study, From Garden to Glory, is underway and is covering a chapter/week. The study meets Tues. at 10 am; and Wed. at 7 pm. Questions? Contact Anne Nelson, Tracy Carter, or Debbie Goelz.

• Fall Dinner: A THANKSGIVING GATHERING, November 9, 6:30 pm. RSVP through LoG Facebook, or to brandipatterson@ymail.com.

GriefShare: • Meeting Sundays at 5:00 in the Calvin classroom. For any questions, Brian

Nelson (405)650-4969 or nelsonok1@cox.net. Sandra McCracken Concert:

• Friday, October 19th at 7:00 PM at Fort Worth Presbyterian Church. For more information visit: https://fortworthpca.org/news/91.