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July 30, 2023
Resources and content for this Sunday.
*Call to Worship | Romans 11:33-36 | Blake Arnoult
God invites and calls us into his presence to worship him.
Pastor: 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
People: 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?”
All: 36 For from him and through him and to him are all
things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
*Song of Adoration | To God Be the Glory
We begin by responding with praise to God for who he is and for what he does.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Chorus
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
Chorus
Music and Lyrics: William Howard Doane, Fanny Crosby
*Confession of Faith | based on Ephesians 3:14-21
With the church in history we confess a basic statement of what Christians believe.
We bow our knees before our Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of your glory you may grant us to be strengthened with power through your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith—that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
*Song of Confession | All Glory Be Forever
Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs are simply prayers that are sung. We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.
We had turned from God to sin’s disgrace, we chose the path to hell
Perfect law of God condemned our race, for all in Adam fell
But the righteousness of God appeared
And the world found hope again
For the Righteous One has come down to bear
All the curse of sin and death
Now to Him Who's seated on the throne, all glory be forever
Oh, the depths of wisdom, grace, and power,
All glory be forever
All glory be forever
Every bond of sin that held us fast is left in Jesus’ grave
We’ve been freed from all that gripped our past
From Satan’s rule and reign
We’ve been raised to life to breathe His grace
As captives now reclaimed
All our guilt is gone, all our strivings ceased,
We’re alive to seek His fame
Chorus
Now our future’s fixed, our journey clear; God will not let us go
Every trial that tempts our hearts to fear He’ll use to give us hope
All creation groans as we await what our eyes have longed to see
Every pain and evil we’ve long endured
Will be crushed by Christ our King
Chorus
Music and Lyrics: Jordan Kauflin
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.
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. 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.
Assurance of Pardon | Romans 1:16 | 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.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
*Song of Response | Be Thou My Vision
We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.
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.
Be Thou my breast plate, my sword for the fight.
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight,
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
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.
True Light of heaven, when victory is won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Music and Lyrics: Mary Elizabeth Byrne
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 | King Eternal
As we offer our prayers so we also offer up our thanks in song.
Unto the King eternal;
Unto the Lord Immortal;
Unto the God invisible;
You alone are wise.
All glory and honor forever to you oh God;
All glory and honor forever to you my King eternal.
You alone are wise;.
You alone are my King eternal
Music and Lyrics: Charlie Hall
Prayer for Christ’s Church
We lift up our requests to God knowing that he hears us when we pray.
*Reading of Scripture | Romans 16:17-20; 25-27 | Rev. Blake Arnoult
God reveals himself and his work and speaks to us his people through his Word.
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you…
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.
Pastor: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
The Preaching of the Word | Rev. Blake Arnoult
“A Doxology”
Romans: The Power of God for Salvation
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 | He Will Hold Me Fast
We celebrate our communion in faith and song.
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast.
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast; He will hold me fast!
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast!
Those He saves are His delight; Christ will hold me fast.
Precious in His holy sight; He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost, His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
Chorus
For my life He bled and died; Christ will hold me fast.
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast;
‘Till our faith is turned to sight, when He comes at last!
/ Chorus /
He began a work in us…
He’ll complete His work in us…
He will hold us fast; He will hold us fast!
For our Savior loves us so, He will hold us fast!
Music and Lyrics: Matt Merker, Ada Habershon
Departing Song | Doxology
We begin to end in faith and song.
/ Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. /
// Amen //
Music and Lyrics: Thomas Ken, Thomas Tallis
*Benediction | Romans 16:20 | 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.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Supper clubs will be starting again this fall! Scan the QR code, click the link above, email emily.mcewin@cornerstonehouston, or sign up through our weekly email if you would like to participate!
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!
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!
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!
Visit the website above or click the link above to view our comprehensive fall calendar and RSVP to available events!
Welcome, visitors! We are so glad to have you with us this morning! Please help us out by clicking above to let us know you’re here, or visit our website directly at cornerstonehouston.com.
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