October 15, 2023

*Call to Worship | Psalm 34:1-3 | Blake Arnoult

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

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1 I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;

let the humble hear and be glad. 

3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together!

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*Song of Adoration | Jesus, I Come

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

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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 Faith | The Lord’s Prayer

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

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Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen.

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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

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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

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 42:1-6

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 TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A MASKIL OF THE SONS OF KORAH.

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food

day and night,

while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

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4 These things I remember,

as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the throng

and lead them in procession to the house of God

with glad shouts and songs of praise,

a multitude keeping festival.

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5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation 6 and my God.

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Assurance of Pardon | 2 Corinthians 5:14 | 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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14 The love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.

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*Song of Response | Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

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

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Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but Thou art mighty;

Hold me with Thy powerful hand.

/ Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore; /

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Open now the crystal fountain, 

Whence the healing stream doth flow; 

Let the fire and cloudy pillar 

Lead me all my journey through. 

/ Strong Deliverer, be Thou still my Strength and Shield. /

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When I tread the verge of Jordan, 

Bid my anxious fears subside; 

Death of deaths, and hell’s destruction, 

Land me safe on Canaan’s side. 

/ Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee; /

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/ Land me safe on Canaan’s side 

Bid my anxious fears, bid my anxious fears 

Goodbye, goodbye. /

Goodbye, goodbye.

Music and Lyrics: William Williams, Jeremy Casella

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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, Thank You

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

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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 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 6:1-8; 16-18 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

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1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

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2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him…

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16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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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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“On Bad and Good Boasting”

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 | It Is Well With My Soul

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

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When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 

When sorrows like sea   billows roll; 

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 

 “It is well, it is well with my soul” 

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It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul) 

It is well, it is well with my soul

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Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 

Let this blessed assurance control, 

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, 

And hath shed His own blood for my soul. 

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Chorus

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My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! 

My sin, not in part but the whole, 

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, 

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

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Chorus

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And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight, 

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; 

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, 

Even so, it is well with my soul. 

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Chorus

Music and Lyrics: Horatio Spafford, Philip Bliss

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Departing Song | The Church’s One Foundation

We begin to end in faith and song.

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The church’s one foundation

Is Jesus Christ her Lord,

She is His new creation

By water and the Word.

From heaven He came and sought her

To be His holy bride;

With His own blood He bought her,

And for her life He died.

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Elect from every nation,

Yet one over all the earth;

Her charter of salvation,

One Lord, one faith, one birth;

One holy Name she blesses,

Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses,

With every grace endued.

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Mid toil and tribulation,

And tumult of her war,

She waits the consummation

Of peace forevermore;

’Til, with the vision glorious,

Her longing eyes are blessed,

And the great church victorious

Shall be the church at rest.

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Yet she on earth hath union

With God the Three in One,

And mystic sweet communion

With those whose rest is won.

O happy ones and holy!

Lord, give us grace that we

Like them, the meek and lowly,

On high may dwell with Thee.

Music and Lyrics: Brian Moss, Samuel John Stone

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*Benediction | 2 Corinthians 9:8 | 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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8 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Picnic at the Park - Today!

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 Memorial Park today directly after the service! North Picnic Area: 6502 Arnot St. 77007.

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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: Monthly on the first Friday of each month, 7am at Bean and Bottle. 9655 Katy Freeway Suite 100. 

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

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Sunday School

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

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

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Women’s Retreat - This Saturday!

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. We will be meeting at the home of Jeff and Susan Arnoult before taking a bus to New Ulm together! Breakfast and Coffee will be provided for the ride!

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