September 3, 2023

*Call to Worship | Psalm 3:8 | Blake Arnoult

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

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8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!

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*Song of Adoration | Arise O God

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

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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 rise 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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*Confession of Faith | based on Ephesians 1:3-18

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

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All glorious God, we give you praise:

In your Son, Jesus Christ,

You have given us every spiritual blessing

In the heavenly realms.

You chose us, before the world was made,

To be your holy people, without fault in your sight.

You adopted us as your children in Christ.

You have set us free by his blood;

You have forgiven our sins.

You have made known to us your secret purpose,

To bring heaven and earth into unity in Christ.

You have given us your Holy Spirit,

The seal and pledge of our inheritance.

All praise and glory be yours, O God,

For the richness of your grace,

For the splendor of your gifts,

For the wonder of your love.

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*Song of Confession | Jesus I Come

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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Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,

Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my sickness into Thy health,

Out of my wanting and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

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Out of my shameful failure and loss,

Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.

Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,

Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,

Out of distress into jubilant psalm,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

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Out of unrest and arrogant pride,

Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.

Into Thy blessed will to abide,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,

Out of despair into raptures above,

Upward forever on wings like a dove,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

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Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,

Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.

Into the joy and light of Thy home,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the depths of ruin untold,

Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,

Ever Thy glorious face to behold,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Music and Lyrics: Greg Thompson, WilliamSleeper

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Confession of Sin | based on Deuteronomy 6, Hebrews 7

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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O great and everlasting God, who dwells in unapproachable light, who searches and knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart; we confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, nor with all our soul, nor with all our mind, nor with all our strength; nor our neighbors as ourselves. We have loved what we ought not to have loved; we have coveted what is not ours; we have not been content with your provisions for us. We have complained in our hearts about our family, about our friends, about our health, about our occupations, about your church, and about our trials. We have sought our security in those things which perish, rather than in you, God. Chasten, cleanse, and forgive us, through Jesus Christ, who is able for all time to save us who approach you through him, since he always lives to make intercession for us. Amen.

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Assurance of Pardon | John 3:16 | 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.

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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 | Jesus, Thank You

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

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The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend

The agonies of Calvary

You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son

Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

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Your blood has washed away my sin

Jesus, thank You

The Father’s wrath completely satisfied

Jesus, thank You

Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table

Jesus, thank You

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By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near

Your enemy You’ve made Your friend

Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace

Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Chorus

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/ Lover of my soul

I want to live for You /

Chorus

Music and Lyrics: Pat Sczebel

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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 | Have Mercy

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

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Have mercy on me O God

Remember not my sin

Have mercy O Lord of love

Cleanse me from within

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By Your mercy clean my heart

And I’ll proclaim how great Thou art

Deliver me from guilt and shame

And I’ll sing out, “Praise His name”

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Wash me and I shall be

Whiter than snow

Mold me and make me whole

All to You I owe

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Chorus

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/ Let these broken bones rejoice

Give me gladness give me joy

Hide your face from all my sin

Renew this spirit once again /

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/ Chorus / 

Music and Lyrics: Rivan Bennevendo

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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 5:17-20 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

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17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

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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 Promises and Law Fulfilled”

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 | The Sands of Time Are Sinking

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

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The sands of time are sinking,

The dawn of heaven breaks;

The summer morn I’ve sighed for -

The fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark had been the midnight

But dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land.

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The king there in His beauty,

Without a veil is seen:

It were a well-spent journey,

Though seven deaths lay between:

The Lamb with His fair army,

Doth on Mount Zion stand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land

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O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I’ve tasted

More deep I’ll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land.

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The bride eyes not her garment,

But her dear Bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory

But on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth

But on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory

Of Emmanuel’s land.

Music and Lyrics: Anne Ross Cundell Cousin, Phillip Palmertree

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Departing Song | Revelation Song

We begin to end in faith and song.

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Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. 

Holy, holy is He.

Sing a new song to Him who sits on 

Heaven's Mercy Seat.

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Holy, Holy, Holy is The Lord, God Almighty. 

Who was and is and is to come.

With all creation I sing, "Praise to The King of Kings,

You are my everything. And I will adore You".

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Clothed in rainbows, of living color. 

Flashes of lightening, rolls of thunder.

Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be,

To You, the only wise King.

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Chorus

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Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder,

At the mention of Your Name.

Jesus, Your Name is power, breath and living water.

Such a marvelous mystery.

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/Chorus/

Music and Lyrics: Jennie Lee Riddle

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*Benediction | Hebrews 13:20-21 | 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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20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Bible Studies

Beginning August 23, September 1, and September 7

Bible studies for men and women have begun!

Women’s Morning Study: Weekly on Wednesdays at 9:30am beginning August 23 at the Wade home.

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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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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Women’s Retreat - Save the Date!

Saturday, October 21

More information to come! 

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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! 

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Supper Club groups have been emailed!

If you signed up to participate in a supper club your group has been emailed! The goal is to gather at least three times between September 1 - November 30. Connect with your group to decide when and where you will gather!

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