Sunday Liturgy & Announcements for April 26
We post the liturgy from the week so it will be accessible to you throughout the week. We encourage you to work through the catechism or be reminded about what Scripture was read in the service on Lords Day.
Call To Worship
LEADER
Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. 9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
PEOPLE
12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. 14 May the LORD give you increase, you and your children! 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! 16 The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. 17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!
Catechism
(Questions 34-35)
LEADER
What is effectual calling?
PEOPLE
Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.
LEADER
What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
PEOPLE
They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Confession
LEADER
Almighty, merciful God, we acknowledge that if you decided to consider our merits and worthiness, we would not be worthy to lift up our eyes to heaven and bring our prayer before you; our consciences accuse us and our sins testify against us. We also know that you are a Judge, who punishes the sins of those who transgress your commandments.
But since you promised in your unspeakable mercy to hear our prayers, not for the sake of our merits - of which there are none - but for the sake of the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you have set forth as our Mediator and Advocate, so we forsake all other help and take our refuge to your mercy alone.
And since it pleases you that we pray for all men, we pray for the earthly government, our State Governor, our elected officials, for our President, and for all other kings, and rulers, that their whole rule may be geared in such a way, that the King of all kings may reign over them and their subjects; that the kingdom of the devil, which is a kingdom of all disgrace and blasphemy, may be destroyed more and more by their obedience to you, lest they be judged by King Jesus, to whom every knee should bow. Amen.
Assurance
PEOPLE
Our Father who is 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 power and glory, forever - Amen.
"I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him,
he it is that bears much fruit,
for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 ESV