October 13, 2024

*Call to Worship | Galatians 5:1 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

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*Song of Adoration | Jesus, Lover of My Soul

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

Jesus, lover of my soul, 

Let me to Thy bosom fly, 

While the nearer waters roll, 

While the tempest still is high. 

Hide me, O my Savior, hide, 

’Til life’s storm is past; 

Safe into the haven guide; 

Receive my soul at last. 

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Other refuge have I none, 

I helpless, hang on Thee;

Leave, oh leave me not alone, 

Support and comfort me. 

All my trust on Thee is stayed, 

All help from Thee I bring; 

Cover my defenseless head 

In the shadow of Thy wing. 

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Thou, O Christ, are all I want, 

Here more than all I find; 

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, 

Heal the sick, and lead the blind. 

Just and holy is Thy Name, 

I am all unrighteousness; 

False and full of sin I am; 

Thou art full of truth and grace. 

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Plenteous grace with Thee is found, 

Grace to cover all my sin; 

Let the healing streams abound; 

Make and keep me pure within. 

Thou of life the fountain art, 

Let me take of Thee; 

Spring Thou up within my heart; 

For all eternity.

_{Music and Lyrics: Maltbie D. Babcock}

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*Confession of Faith | Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch.20 On Christian Liberty 

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

The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a childlike love and willing mind.

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*Song of Confession | Have Mercy

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

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

/ 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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Confession of Sin 

^{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.}

God, our Father, we confess before you today both our unworthiness and our infirmities, our weaknesses, and our lack of wisdom, our license, and our desire to control our own lives. We confess that we are all together dependent on you day to day for that mercy which we find at your throne of grace. Give us that mercy again today and lift up our hearts to you. Help us to put all our trust in you both for eternal salvation and for the daily provisions of life, for ourselves and for those for whom we are responsible for their care. Enable us to manifest the mind of Christ at all times; to freely self-sacrifice and show love for all people in order that we might freely serve you well.

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Assurance of Pardon | John 8:32 | Rev. 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.}

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

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*Song of Response | How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

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

How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give his only Son

And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

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Behold the Man upon the cross

My sin upon His shoulder

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

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I will not boast in anything

No gifts no power no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I from His reward

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

_{Music and Lyrics: Stuart Townend}

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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 | Jesus I My Cross Have Taken

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

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow Thee.

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou from hence my all shall be.

Perish every fond ambition,

All I’ve sought or hoped or known.

Yet how rich is my condition!

God and heaven are still my own.

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Let the world despise and leave me,

They have left my Savior, too.

Human hearts and looks deceive me;

Thou art not, like them, untrue.

O while Thou dost smile upon me,

God of wisdom, love, and might,

Foes may hate and friends disown me,

Show Thy face and all is bright.

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Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,

Come disaster, scorn and pain

In Thy service, pain is pleasure,

With Thy favor, loss is gain

I have called Thee Abba Father,

I have stayed my heart on Thee

Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;

All must work for good to me.

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Haste thee on from grace to glory,

Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.

Heaven’s eternal days before thee,

God’s own hand shall guide us there.

Soon shall close thy earthly mission,

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,

Hope shall change to glad fruition,

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

_{Music and Lyrics: Henry Francis Lyte, Billy Foote}

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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 | 1 Peter 2:18-25 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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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 Church, The Slave of Christ”

1 Peter: Homesick and Hopeful

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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.

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 | Your Will Be Done

^{We celebrate our communion in faith and song.}

Your will be done my God and Father

As in heaven so on earth

My heart is drawn to self-exalting

Help me seek Your kingdom first

As Jesus walked so shall I walk

Held by Your same unchanging love

Be still my soul O lift your voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

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How in that garden he persisted

I may never fully know

The fearful weight of true obedience

It was held by him alone

What wondrous faith to bear that cross

To bear my sin what wondrous love

My hope was sure when there my Saviour prayed

Father not my will but Yours be done

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When I am lost when I am broken

In the night of fear and doubt

Still I will trust in my good Father

Yes to one great King I bow

As Jesus rose so I shall rise

In ransomed glory at the throne

My heart restored with all Your saints I sing

Father not my will but Yours be done

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As we go forth our God and Father

Lead us daily in the fight

That all the world might see Your glory

And Your Name be lifted high

And in this Name we overcome

For You shall see us safely home

Now as Your church we lift our voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

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And in this Name we overcome

For You shall see us safely home

Now as Your church we lift our voice and pray

//Father not my will but Yours be done//

_{Music and Lyrics: Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson}

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Departing Song | O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

^{We begin to end in faith and song.}

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: Robbie Seay, Taylor Johnson, Albert Peace, George Matheson}

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*Benediction | Jude 20, 21 | Rev. 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.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Women’s Gathering

Tuesday, October 15

Ladies, let's gather with our Cornerstone sisters on October 15th at the home of Kami Beaty. We are welcoming Kay Byrd to speak to us about prayer and how it has impacted her life over the years. Don't miss out on this special time of fellowship. Friends are welcome!

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Bible Studies

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Women’s Morning Study: Wednesday, October 16

Our weekly women’s study on Prayer meets each Wednesday this fall. Join us at 10am at the home of Marion Wade!

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Men’s Morning Study: Friday, November 1

Our men’s study on Prayer will meet on Friday, October 4 at 7am at Bean and Bottle! 9655 Katy Freeway Suite 100. 

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Women’s Evening Study: Thursday, November 7

Our women’s evening study on Prayer will meet on Thursday, October 3! Join us at the home of Susan Arnoult at 7pm.

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Kids’ Sunday School

Sunday, October 20, 9am

We are taking a break from our Sunday School series on October 13. Sunday School will resume at 9am on October 20!  

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Youth Bible Study

Sunday, October 20, 9am

We are taking a break from our Youth Bible Study series on October 13. Youth Bible Study will resume at 9am on October 20!

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