Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 16)
Leader
In the presence of the Lord is there is fullness of joy.
At the right hand of the Lord are pleasures evermore.
With the Lord our whole being rests secure.
Let us give thanks!
All
Lord, you are my Lord,
and I have no good apart from you!
You are my chosen portion,
you make my cup overflow,
you uphold my life,
you have arranged my inheritance!
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my whole being rejoices!
Confession of Sin
(based on Psalm 131)
Leader
Loving heavenly Father,
you alone are the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
It is our great privilege to live under your
power, righteousness, wisdom, mercy and grace.
You love us with better love than any we've known on this earth,
and we ought to stand in awe of your commitment to cherish us.
All
Yet even though we have tasted your security,
we are a people who would rather secure ourselves.
We place our hope in our talents and abilities;
in our relationships with people we love and admire;
in our economic prosperity and occupational ability,
in our good health and our spiritual discipline.
Leader
Father, we are worshippers of ourselves,
and we find our hearts full of insecurity and anxiety
when we discover we cannot save ourselves in any way.
All
Holy Spirit, please fill us with repentance for our insecurity
and renew our trust and hope in the great security
that you have poured in our hearts in Christ.
For he went down into the insecurity of death for sin,
so that he might raise us up to the security of eternal life.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for considering it a joy to suffer
on our behalf that we might join in divine security.
Assurance of Pardon
John 5:21–24
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
The Lord's Prayer
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 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
Scripture Reading: Psalm 16
New City Catechism
Question 25
Leader
Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?
All
Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no more.
Benediction
Numbers 6:24–26
The LORD bless you and keep (protect) you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you (turn his face toward you) and give you peace.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above the Heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen