April 16, 2023

*Call to Worship | Romans 11:33-36 | Blake Arnoult

God invites and calls us into his presence to worship him.

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33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

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34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,

    or who has been his counselor?”

35 “Or who has given a gift to him

    that he might be repaid?”

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36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

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*Song of Adoration | Holy Is The Lord

We begin by responding with praise to God for who he is and for what he does. 

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We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength

We bow down and worship Him now

How great how awesome is He

And together we sing

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Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

The earth is filled with his glory

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We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength

We bow down and worship Him now

How great how awesome is He

And together we sing

Everyone sing

Chorus

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/ It's rising up all around

It's the anthem of the Lord's renown /

And together we sing

Everyone sing

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Chorus

Music and Lyrics: Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio

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*Confession of Faith | Romans 1:16; 8:31-39

With the church in history we confess a basic statement of what Christians believe.

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1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[a] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[b] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

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“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

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37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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*Song of Confession | Lord I Need You

Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs are simply prayers that are sung. We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.

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Lord, I come, I confess

Bowing here I find my rest

Without You I fall apart

You're the One that guides my heart

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Lord, I need You, oh, I need You

Every hour I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

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Where sin runs deep Your grace is more

Where grace is found is where You are

And where You are, Lord, I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

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Chorus

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Teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

When I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus, You're my hope and stay

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Chorus

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You're my one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

Music and Lyrics: C. Nockels, D. Carson, J. Reeves, K. Stanfill, M. Maher

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Confession of Sin | Romans 3:10-18 | Blake Arnoult

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.

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10 as it is written:

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“None is righteous, no, not one;

11     no one understands;

    no one seeks for God.

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

    no one does good,

    not even one.”

13 “Their throat is an open grave;

    they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16     in their paths are ruin and misery,

17 and the way of peace they have not known.”

18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

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Assurance of Pardon | Romans 3:23-24 | 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.

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23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

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*Song of Response | All Must Be Well

We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.

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Through the love of God our Savior, All will be well

Free and changeless is His favor, All is well

Precious is the blood that healed us

Perfect is the grace that sealed us

Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us

All must be well

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Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well

Ours is such a full salvation, All is well

Happy still in God confiding

Fruitful if in Christ abiding

Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding

All must be well

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We expect a bright tomorrow; All will be well

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well

/On our Father's love relying

Jesus every need supplying

Yes in living or in dying

All must be well/

Music and Lyrics: Mary Bowly Peters, Matthew S. Smith

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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.

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Song of Thanks | How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

As we offer our prayers so we also offer up our thanks in song.

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How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

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Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

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I will not boast in anything

No gifts no power no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

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I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches me

Music and Lyrics: Stuart Townend

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Sacrament of Baptism

Sacraments are visible signs of the invisible grace of God - what Christ does by his Holy Spirit within us. Baptism, as the administration of the element of water, symbolizes a flood. Baptism is a sign of death and judgment. That sign signifies that you experience death and judgment not by yourself but with Christ, and in being united to him in judgment he takes the curse we deserve for us and we come out of judgment to resurrection and eternal life. That sign signifies more than just the future judgment that is to come. The outward sign signifies the inner reality that sinners already experienced judgment by God in the Spirit with Jesus. The function of baptism is to be a ratifying seal to those who profess faith in Christ as Lord and Savior as their entrance into the covenant community as belonging to our Lord and his family. Therefore, as believing parents submit themselves to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is appropriate and expected that they bring their children who are under their parental authority under the authority of the Lord and that those children receive the sign of baptism as belonging to the covenant community.

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Prayer for Christ’s Church

We lift up our requests to God knowing that he hears us when we pray.

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*Reading of Scripture | Romans 9:1-8 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

^{God reveals himself and his work and speaks to us his people through his Word.}

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I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,[a] my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

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6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

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Pastor: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

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The Preaching of the Word | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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“The Problem and Purpose of Israel”

Romans: The Power of God for Salvation

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Pastoral Prayer

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving and Words of Institution

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Communion Song | All Glory Be To Christ

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

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Should nothing of our efforts stand

No legacy survive

Unless the Lord does raise the house

In vain its builders strive

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To you who boast tomorrow's gain

Tell me what is your life

A mist that vanishes at dawn

All glory be to Christ!

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All glory be to Christ our King!

All glory be to Christ!

His rule and reign we'll ever sing,

All glory be to Christ!

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His will be done, His kingdom come

On earth as is above

Who is Himself our daily bread

Praise Him the Lord of love

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Let living water satisfy

The thirsty without price

We'll take a cup of kindness yet

All glory be to Christ!

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Chorus

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When on the day the great I am

The faithful and the true

The Lamb who was for sinners slain

Is making all things new

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Behold our God shall live with us

And be our steadfast light

And we shall ere his people be

All glory be to Christ!

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/ Chorus /

Music and Lyrics: Dustin Kensrue, Robert Burns

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Departing Song | We Will Feast in the House of Zion

We begin to end in faith and song.

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We will feast in the house of Zion.

We will sing with our hearts restored.

“He has done great things!”, we will say together.

We will feast and weep no more.

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We will not be burned by the fire;

He is the Lord, our God.

We are not consumed by the flood;

Upheld, protected, gathered up.

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Chorus

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In the dark of night, before the dawn;

My soul, be not afraid.

For the promised morning, oh, how long?

Oh, God of Jacob, be my strength!

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Chorus

Every vow we've broken and betrayed;

You are the Faithful one.

And from the garden to the grave;

Bind us together, bring shalom!

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/Chorus/

Music and Lyrics: Sandra McCracken, Joshua Moore

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*Benediction | Romans 16:25-27 | 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.

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25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Congregational Meeting- Today!

Sunday, April 16, directly after the service

Join us directly after today’s service for a congregational meeting. We encourage all members to attend!

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Sunday School

Sunday school for kids and youth have resumed!

Kids pre-k through 4th grade and youth 5th-12th grade are invited to join us for Sunday school each Sunday morning at 9:15am! Kids will gather in the lobby and youth will gather upstairs. 

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Bible Studies

Women’s Morning Bible Study: 

Wednesday mornings, 9:30am at the Wade home

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Women’s Evening Bible Study: 

Thursday evenings, 7pm at the McEwin home

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Men’s Bible Study: 

Friday mornings, 7am at Buffalo Grille on Voss and Woodway

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Nursery Unavailable

April 30

Cornerstone’s nursery will be unavailable on April 30th because we will be worshipping in the lobby.

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Annual Wine Tasting Event!

May 7, 6-8pm - RSVP on our website!

Join us at the home of Jeff and Susan Arnoult for our annual wine tasting event! We’ll enjoy food and fellowship while also learning about wine! This is an adults only event. Please RSVP here so that we make sure to have enough food and wine for all!

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