October 1, 2023

*Call to Worship | 1 Peter 1:3 | Blake Arnoult

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

‍

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

‍

‍

*Song of Adoration | Father, Long Before Creation

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

‍

Father, long before creation, Thou hadst chosen us in love.

And that love so deep, so moving, draws us close to Christ above.

Still it keeps us, still it keeps us; firmly fixed in Christ alone.

‍

Though the world may change its fashion, 

Yet our God is e'er the same;

His compassion and His covenant through all ages will remain.

God's own children, God's own children; 

Must forever praise His name.

‍

God's compassion is my story; is my boasting all the day.

Mercy free and never failing, moves my will, directs my way.

God so loved us, God so loved us; that His only Son He gave.

‍

Loving Father now before Thee, We will ever praise Thy love.

And our songs will sound unceasing 'til we reach our home above.

Giving glory, giving glory; to our God and to the Lamb.

Giving glory, giving glory; to our God and to the Lamb.

Music and Lyrics: Andrew Osenga, Francis Johnson

‍

‍

*Confession of Faith | Hebrews 4:15-16

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

‍

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

‍

‍

*Song of Confession | I Surrender All

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

‍

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

‍

I surrender all

I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all

‍

All to Jesus I surrender

Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

Chorus

‍

All to Jesus I surrender

Now I feel the sacred flame

O the joy of full salvation

Glory glory to His name

‍

Chorus

Music and Lyrics: Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter, Winfield Scott Weeden

‍

‍

Confession of Sin | Psalm 25:4-7; 11

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.

‍

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;

teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

‍

‍

Assurance of Pardon | Revelation 21:4 | 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.

‍

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

‍

‍

*Song of Response | Jesus Loves Me

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

‍

Jesus loves me, this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong. 

They are weak, but He is strong.

‍

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

‍

Jesus loves me, He who died.

Heaven's gates to open wide.

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

‍

Chorus

‍

The Bible tells me so

The Bible tells me so.

Music and Lyrics: Anna Bartlett Warner, William Batchelder Bradbury

‍

‍

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 | In Christ Alone

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

‍

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light my strength my song

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled when strivings cease!

My Comforter my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

‍

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This Gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied –

For every sin on Him was laid:

Here in the death of Christ I live

‍

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine –

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

‍

No guilt in life no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand 

Music and Lyrics: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend

‍

‍

Prayer for Christ’s Church

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

‍

‍

*Reading of Scripture | Matthew 5:38-48 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

‍

38 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

‍

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

‍

Pastor: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

‍

‍

The Preaching of the Word | Rev. Blake Arnoult

‍

“On Retaliation and Mercy”

Matthew: The Sermon on the Mount

‍

‍

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 | O Come to The Altar

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

‍

Are you hurting and broken within

Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin

Jesus is calling

Have you come to the end of yourself

Do you thirst for a drink from the well

Jesus is calling

‍

O come to the altar

The Father’s arms are open wide

Forgiveness was bought with

The precious blood of Jesus Christ

‍

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes

Come today there’s no reason to wait

Jesus is calling

Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy

From the ashes a new life is born

Jesus is calling

‍

/Chorus/

‍

/ Oh what a Savior

Isn’t He wonderful

Sing alleluia, Christ is risen

Bow down before Him

For He is Lord of all

Sing alleluia, Christ is risen /

‍

/Chorus/

‍

Bear your cross as you wait for the crown

Tell the world of the treasure you’ve found

Music and Lyrics: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye

‍

‍

Departing Song | Jesus Paid It All

We begin to end in faith and song.

‍

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

‍

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

‍

Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and Thine alone,

Can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone.

‍

Chorus

‍

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,

"Jesus died my soul to save" my lips shall still repeat

‍

Chorus

Music and Lyrics: Elvina M. Hall

‍

‍

*Benediction | Jude 1:20-21 | 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.

‍

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

‍

‍

‍

ANNOUNCEMENTS

‍

Bible Studies

Women’s Morning Study: Weekly on Wednesdays at 9:30am from August 23 - November 8 at the Wade home.

Men’s Morning Study - This week!: Monthly on the first Friday of each month, 7am at Bean and Bottle. 9655 Katy Freeway Suite 100. 

Women’s Evening Study - This week!: Monthly at 7pm on the first Thursday of each month at the home of Susan and Jeff Arnoult.

‍

Sunday School

We will be taking a break from Sunday school on October 8.

Sunday mornings at 9am from October 15 - November 5!

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. 

‍

Women’s Retreat - Sign up today!

Saturday, October 21

Women are invited to join us from 8:30am - 5:30pm on Saturday, October 21 for a day trip to the Plank’s farm in New Ulm, TX. Please let us know you are coming by clicking HERE or visiting our events page to sign up!

‍

Youth Gathering at Speedy’s Fast Track!

Today, October 1, 12-2pm

All 5th-12th graders are invited to join us at Speedy’s Fast Track for food and fun after the service next Sunday! 

‍

Picnic at the Park!

Sunday, October 15, 11:30am-2pm

Parents and all kids through 4th grade are invited to join us for a lunch provided by Cornerstone at a local park on October 15! More information coming soon!

‍