August 20, 2023

*Call to Worship | Psalm 121:1-2 | Blake Arnoult

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

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0 A Song of Ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. 

From where does my help come? 

2 My help comes from the LORD, 

who made heaven and earth.

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*Song of Adoration | O Love that Will Not Let Me Go

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

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O Love that will not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

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O light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

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O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

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O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

Music and Lyrics: R. Seay, T. Johnson, A. L. Peace, G. Matheson

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*Confession of Faith | Psalm 24

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

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0 A Psalm of David.

1 The earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

2 for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

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3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

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7  Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty,

the LORD, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts,

he is the King of glory!

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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

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 | Psalm 130:1-6

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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0 A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 

2 O Lord, hear my voice! 

2 Let your ears be attentive 

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

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3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, 

O Lord, who could stand? 

4 But with you there is forgiveness, 

that you may be feared. 

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5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, 

and in his word I hope; 

6 my soul waits for the Lord 

more than watchmen for the morning, 

more than watchmen for the morning. 

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Assurance of Pardon | Psalm 130:7-8 | 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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7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! 

For with the LORD there is steadfast love, 

and with him is plentiful redemption. 

8 And he will redeem Israel 

from all his iniquities.

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*Song of Response | Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

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

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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

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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

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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

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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: Anne Steele, Kevin Twit

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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 | Crown Him with Many Crowns

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

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Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee

And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity

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Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all does reign

Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain

Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing

Their song before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King

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Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side

Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified

No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight

But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright

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Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave

And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save

His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high

Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die

Music and Lyrics: George Job Elvey, Godfrey Thring, Matthew Bridges

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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 | Matthew 5:1-12; 7:24-29 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

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1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

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2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matt. 5:10   “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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7:24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

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28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

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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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“New Covenant Beatitudes and Curses”

Matthew: The Sermon on the Mount

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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 | Rock of Ages

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

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Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save from wrath and make me pure.

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Not the labors of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s commands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone,

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

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Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

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While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

Music and Lyrics: Augustus Montague Toplady, Thomas Hastings

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Departing Song | On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand

We begin to end in faith and song.

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On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,

And cast a wishful eye,

To Canaan’s fair and happy land,

Where my possessions lie.

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I am bound (I am bound),

I am bound (I am bound),

I am bound for the promised land.

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All o’er those wide extended plains,

Shines one eternal day;

There God the Son forever reigns,

And scatters night away.

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Chorus

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No chilling winds nor poisonous breath

Can reach that healthful shore;

Sickness, sorrow, pain and death,

Are felt and feared no more.

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Chorus

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When shall I reach that happy place,

And be forever blessed?

When shall I see my Father’s face,

And in His bosom rest?

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//Chorus//

Music and Lyrics: Christopher Miner, Samuel Stennett

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*Benediction | Matthew 28:16-20 | 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.

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16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Sign up for Supper Clubs!

Supper clubs will be starting again this fall! Scan the QR code, email emily.mcewin@cornerstonehouston, or sign up through our weekly email if you would like to participate! Groups will be sent out this week!

Bible Studies

Beginning August 23, September 1, and September 7

Bible studies for men and women are beginning soon!

Women’s Morning Study: Weekly on Wednesdays at 9:30am beginning August 23 at the Wade home - Childcare for kids 8 weeks - 4 years will be provided.

Men’s Morning Study: Monthly on the first Friday of each month, beginning on September 1, 7am at Bean and Bottle. 9655 Katy Freeway Suite 100.

Women’s Evening Study: Monthly at 7pm on the first Thursday of each month, beginning on September 7 at the home of Susan and Jeff Arnoult 

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Sunday School

Beginning September 10 at 9am

Pre-K through 12th grades are invited to join us for Sunday school for an 8-week study in Eschatology! Children and youth will gather separately for age-appropriate lessons. 

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Women’s Retreat - Save the Date!

Saturday, October 21

More information to come! 

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Fall Kick-Off Pool Party - Next Sunday!

Sunday, August 27, directly after the worship service

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!