July 16, 2023

*Call to Worship | John 15:13 | Brooks Harwood

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

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13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

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*Song of Adoration | All Creatures Of Our God And King

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

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All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing.

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou, burning sun with golden beam,

Thou, silver moon with softer gleam,

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Thou rushing wind that art so strong 

Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along, 

O praise Him!   Alleluia! 

Thou rushing morn in praise rejoice, 

Ye lights of evening find a voice, 

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Thou flowing water pure and clear 

Make music for Thy Lord to hear 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Thou fire so masterful and bright 

That givest man both warmth and light,  

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness.

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One,

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Music and Lyrics: St. Francis of Assisi, Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird

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*Confession of Faith | 1 Peter 4:8-11

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

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8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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*Song of Confession | Isaiah 43

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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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, 

And the waves will not overcome you. 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, 

I have called you by name, you are Mine.

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For I am the Lord your God (I am the Lord your God),

I am the Lord your God (I am)

The Holy One of Israel

Your Savior

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I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

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When you walk through the fire you’ll not be burned, 

And the flames will not consume you. 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, 

I have called you by name, you are Mine.

Chorus

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I am the Lord

Music and Lyrics: Anonymous

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Confession of Sin | Psalm 51:1-4; 8-9

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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1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 

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8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

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Assurance of Pardon | John 3:16 | Brooks Harwood

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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16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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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 Bowley-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 | Take My Life And Let It Be

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

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Take my life and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in endless praise,

let them flow in endless praise

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Take my hands and let them move

at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be

swift and beautiful for thee,

swift and beautiful for thee.

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Take my voice and let me sing

always, only, for my King.

Take my lips and let them be

filled with messages from thee,

filled with messages from thee.

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Take my silver and my gold;

not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use

every power as thou shalt choose,

every power as thou shalt choose.

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Take my will and make it thine;

it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart it is thine own;

it shall be thy royal throne,

it shall be thy royal throne.

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Take my love; my Lord, I pour

at thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee,

ever, only, all for thee.

Music and Lyrics: Frances R. Havergal

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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 | Colossians 4:7-18 | Rev. Brooks Harwood

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

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7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

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10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

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18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

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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. Brooks Harwood

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“How Much Do We Really Need Each Other?”

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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 | Grace And Peace

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

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Grace and peace, oh how can this be

For lawbreakers and thieves, for the worthless, the least

You have said that our judgment is death

For all eternity without hope, without rest

Oh, what an amazing mystery, what an amazing mystery

That Your grace has come to me

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Grace and peace, oh how can this be?

The matchless King of all paid the blood price for me

Slaughtered lamb, what atonement You bring!

The vilest sinner's heart can be cleansed, can be free

Oh, what an amazing mystery, what an amazing mystery

That Your grace has come to me

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Grace and peace, oh how can this be?

Let songs of gratefulness ever rise, never cease

Loved by God and called as a saint

My heart is satisfied in the riches of Christ

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Oh, what an amazing mystery, what an amazing mystery

That Your grace has come to me

Oh, what an amazing love I see, what an amazing love I see

That Your grace has come to me

Music and Lyrics: David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan

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Departing Song | Arise O God and Shine

We begin to end in faith and song.

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Arise O God and shine in all Thy saving might

And prosper each design to spread Thy glorious light

Let healing streams of mercy flow

That all the earth Thy truth may know

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Bring distant nations near to sing Thy glorious praise

Let every people hear and learn Thy holy ways

Reign mighty God assert Thy cause

And govern by Thy righteous laws

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Put forth Thy glorious power, that everyone may see

And earth present her store, in converts born to Thee.

God, our own God, His Church will bless,

And fill the world with righteousness.

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To God the only wise the one immortal King

Let hallelujahs ring from every living thing

Let all that breathe on every coast

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

Music and Lyrics: William Hurn, Chris Miner

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*Benediction | Romans 15:5,6 | Brooks Harwood

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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5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Sign up for Supper Clubs!

Supper clubs will be starting again this fall! Email emily.mcewin@cornerstonehouston or sign up through our weekly email if you would like to participate! 

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Fall Kick-Off Pool Party

Sunday, August 27, 11:30am-1:30pm

Everyone is invited to join us at the Byrd home on August 27 for our annual fall gathering! This is a BYOB event. Lunch will be provided!

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Cornerstone’s 5th Anniversary Celebration

Friday, September 15, 7-9pm

Cornerstone is celebrating it’s 5th year anniversary this September! Adults are invited to the home of Blake and Ryan Arnoult to celebrate 5 years of ministry and fellowship! 

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Cornerstone is updating it’s member directory! 

Members! Please email emily.mcewin@cornerstonehouston.com with a family photo for our member directory! Our goal is to complete the directory this summer!