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March 2, 2025
Resources and content for this Sunday.
Order Of Worship
March 2, 2025
*Call to Worship | Revelation 7:12 | Rev. Blake Arnoult
God invites and calls us into his presence to worship him.
12 Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.
*Song of Adoration | Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
We begin by responding with praise to God for who he is and for what he does.
Praise to the Lord,
The Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him,
For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord,
Who o’er all things so wondrously
reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,
Yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen
How all your longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord,
Who doth prosper thy work
and defend thee;
Surely His goodness
And mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord,
O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
Come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
Music and Lyrics: Catherine Winkworth, Joachim Neander
*Confession of Faith | Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q.98
With the church in history we confess a basic statement of what Christians believe.
What is prayer?
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
*Song of Confession | I Asked The Lord
Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are simply prayers that are sung. We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.
I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face
Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair
I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest
Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part
Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Cast out my feelings, laid me low
Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"
“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
/That thou mayest seek thy all in me”/
Music and Lyrics: John Newton, Laura Taylor
Confession of Sin
We fight the temptation to hide our sin and instead acknowledge it openly to God, but we do so in light of the grace offered in Jesus.
O Lord, my senses and my affections are a snare to me. I can barely open my eyes without envying those above me or despising those below me. I covet the honor and riches of the mighty, and am proud and unmerciful to the rags of others. If I behold beauty it is a bait to lust. If I see deformity, it stirs up loathing and disdain. I mourn the fact that my thoughts are mean, and my life is so unbecoming to Christ. Forgive me and turn me from my sin. Keep me mindful and let me not forget my heavenly title or the grace that can deal with every sin. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon | Colossians 1:12-14 | Rev. Blake Arnoult
The good news of the gospel is that we are forgiven in Jesus Christ. This assurance is based on God’s words of promise and it is therefore certain.
12 Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
*Song of Response | A Debtor to Mercy Alone
We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.
A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on,
My person and offering to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
With me can have nothing to do;
My Savior’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view
The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is yea and amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Not all things below nor above
Can make Him His purpose forego,
Or sever my soul from His love.
My name from the palms of His hands
Eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heaven.
Music and Lyrics: Augustus Toplady, Kevin Twit
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We offer our gratitude to God in prayer in response to his gifts and blessings to his people and ask that he make us faithful managers of these gifts.
Song of Thanks | Be Thou My Vision
As we offer our prayers so we also offer up our thanks in song.
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High king of heaven, my victory won,,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Music and Lyrics: Mary Elizabeth Byrne
Prayer for Christ’s Church
We lift up our requests to God knowing that he hears us when we pray.
*Reading of Scripture | Ephesians 1:15-23 | Rev. Blake Arnoult
God reveals himself and his work and speaks to us his people through his Word.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Pastor: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
The Preaching of the Word | Rev. Blake Arnoult
“Responding in Thanks”
Ephesians: The Gospel of the Church
Pastoral Prayer
Sacrament of Communion
Sacraments are visible signs of the invisible grace of God - what Christ does by his Holy Spirit within us. Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist), as the distribution of the elements of bread and wine, symbolizes a meal. Communion is a sign of fellowship. That sign signifies more than just the future heavenly fellowship that is to come. The outward sign signifies the inner reality that sinners already experience fellowship with God in the Spirit because of Jesus. Communion is not a meal for good people. It functions as a renewing seal to desperate sinners of that fellowship we have with our holy and gracious God.
You will be invited to come forward. If you are not a Christian we encourage you to spend this time in reflection on what you’ve seen and heard in the worship. Children who have not received their first communion are welcome and encouraged to come forward with their families to witness their partaking. We invite children who are ready to make a public profession of faith in Christ to arrange a meeting with the elders, and thus become “communicants” at the Lord’s Table.
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts!
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Words of Institution
Pastor: Let us proclaim the mystery of the faith:
People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Hallelujah!
Pastor: Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!
People: Therefore, let us keep the feast.
Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Please let an usher know if it is difficult for you to come forward. We would be happy to serve you at your seat. All communion bread is gluten-free. All communion wine is made from grape juice.
A communion prayer for those searching for the truth:
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth and the life. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me the ability to follow you no matter what it might cost me. Give me an understanding for you that is coherent, convincing, and leads to the life that you promise. Amen.
Communion Song | Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul
We celebrate our communion in faith and song.
Dear refuge of my weary soul,
On Thee, when sorrows rise
On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies
To Thee I tell each rising grief,
For Thou alone canst heal
Thy Word can bring a sweet relief,
For every pain I feel
But oh! When gloomy doubts prevail,
I fear to call Thee mine
The springs of comfort seem to fail,
And all my hopes decline
Yet gracious God, where shall I flee?
Thou art my only trust
And still my soul would cleave to Thee,
Though prostrate in the dust
Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face,
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of sovereign grace,
Be deaf when I complain?
No still the ear of sovereign grace,
Attends the mourner’s prayer
Oh may I ever find access,
To breathe my sorrows there
Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet,
Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet
Music and Lyrics: Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson
Departing Song | It Is Well With My Soul
We begin to end in faith and song.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say:
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come’
Let this blest assurance control;
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!
Chorus
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part but the whole;
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!
Chorus
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
//Chorus//
Music and Lyrics: Philip Bliss, Horatio Spafford
*Benediction | Colossians 2:6-7 | Rev. Blake Arnoult
God sends us out with his blessing. A benediction is not a prayer. We don’t bow our heads. We lift them up and even lift up our hands to receive his blessing as we are sent out as participants in his mission to the city of man.
6 As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so may you walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kids’ Sunday School
Sunday, March 2, 9am
Our spring Sunday school series for kids (K-4th) continues on Sunday, March 2 at 9am.
Youth Bible Study
Sunday, March 2, 9am
Our spring Sunday school series for youth (5th-12th) continues on Sunday, March 2 at 9am.
Palm Sunday Potluck
Sunday, April 13, 4pm
Join us for our annual Palm Sunday Potluck at the Byrd home from 4-6pm on Sunday, April 13. Kids, bring a basket for the Easter egg hunt at 5pm. Adults, bring your favorite beverage. Friends are welcome!
Bible Studies
Women’s Weekly Study
Wednesday, March 5
Our women’s weekly study will meet on Wednesday, February 26. Join us at the home of Marion Wade at 10am.
Women’s Monthly Study
Thursday, March 6
Our women’s evening study on prayer will meet on Thursday, March 6. Join us at the home of Susan Arnoult at 7pm.
Men’s Morning Study
Friday, March 7
Our men’s study on prayer will meet on Friday, March 7 at 7am at Bean and Bottle, 9655 Katy Freeway Suite 100.