October 20, 2024

*Call to Worship | 1 Peter 2:19, 21 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

19 This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly… 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.

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*Song of Adoration | All Creatures of Our God and King

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

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

O praise Him, Alleluia

Thou burning sun with golden beams

Thou silver moon with softer gleam

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Oh praise him, Oh praise him

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

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Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along

O praise Him, Alleluia

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice

Ye lights of evening, find a voice

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Chorus

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Thou flowing water pure and clear

Make music for Thy Lord to hear

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright

That givest man both warmth and light,

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Chorus

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Let all things their Creator bless

And worship Him in humbleness

Oh praise Him, Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son

And praise the Spirit, Three in One

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Chorus

_{Music and Lyrics: St. Francis of Assisi, William Henry Draper}

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*Confession of Faith | Philippians 2:5-11 

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

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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*Song of Confession | Isaiah 43

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

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, 

And the waves will not overcome you. 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, 

I have called you by name, you are Mine.

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For I am the Lord your God (I am the Lord your God),

I am the Lord your God (I am)

The Holy One of Israel

Your Savior

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I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

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When you walk through the fire you’ll not be burned, 

And the flames will not consume you. 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, 

I have called you by name, you are Mine.

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Chorus

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I am the Lord 

_{Music and Lyrics: Anonymous}

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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.}

Most holy and merciful Father; we acknowledge and confess before you our sinful nature prone to evil and slothful in good; and all our shortcomings and offenses. You alone know how often we have sinned; in wandering from your ways; in wasting your gifts; in forgetting your love. O Lord, have mercy upon us who are ashamed and sorry for everything in which we have displeased you.  Teach us to hate our errors. Cleanse us from our secret faults. And forgive our sins for the sake of your dear Son. And O most holy and loving Father, help us, to live in your light and walk in your ways according to the commandments of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Assurance of Pardon | 1 Peter 2:24-25 | 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.}

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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*Song of Response | Sing to the King

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

Sing to the King who is coming to reign.

Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain!

Righteousness, peace then His empire shall bring;

Joy to the nations when Jesus is King.

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Come, let us sing a song,

A song declaring that we belong to Jesus;

He is all we need!

Lift up a heart of praise,

Sing now with voices raised to Jesus;

Sing to the King!

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All shall be well in His kingdom of peace,

Freedom shall flourish and wisdom increase,

Foe shall be friend when His triumph we sing,

Sword shall be sickle when Jesus is King.

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Chorus

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Kingdom of Christ, for thy coming we pray.

Hasten, O Father, the dawn of the day!

With a new song Thy creation shall sing,

Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King!

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Chorus

^{Music and Lyrics: Billy Foote, Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, Charles Silvester Horne}

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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 | All Glory Be Forever

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

We had turned from God to sin’s disgrace, we chose the path to hell

Perfect law of God condemned our race, for all in Adam fell

But the righteousness of God appeared and the world found hope again

For the Righteous One has come down to bear all the curse of sin and death

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Now to Him Who's seated on the throne, 

All glory be forever

Oh, the depths of wisdom, grace, and power, 

All glory be forever

All glory be forever

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Every bond of sin that held us fast is left in Jesus’ grave

We’ve been freed from all that gripped our past from Satan’s rule and reign

We’ve been raised to life to breathe His grace as captives now reclaimed

All our guilt is gone, all our strivings ceased, we’re alive to seek His fame

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Chorus

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Now our future’s fixed, our journey clear; God will not let us go

Every trial that tempts our hearts to fear He’ll use to give us hope

All creation groans as we await what our eyes have longed to see

Every pain and evil we’ve long endured will be crushed by Christ our King

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Chorus

_{Music and Lyrics: Jordan Kauflin}

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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 3:1-7 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

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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 and the Family”

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 | How Sweet The Name

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

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear!

It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

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It makes the wounded spirit whole,

And calms the troubled breast;

’Tis manna to the hungry soul,

And to the weary, rest.

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Dear Name, the rock on which I build,

My shield and hiding place,

My never failing treasury, filled

With boundless stores of grace!

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By Thee, my prayers acceptance gain,

Although with sin defiled;

Satan accuses me in vain,

And I am owned a child.

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Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend,

My Prophet, Priest, and King,

My Lord, my life, my way, My end,

Accept the praise I bring.

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Weak is the effort of my heart,

And cold my warmest thought;

But when I see Thee as Thou art,

I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

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’Til then I would Thy love proclaim

With every fleeting breath,

And may the music of Thy name

Refresh my soul in death.

_{Music and Lyrics: Alexander Robert Reinagle, John Newton, Robert Critchley}

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Departing Song | Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

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

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; 

Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore.

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Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing waters flow; 

Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. 

Strong Deliverer, be Thou still my Strength and Shield. 

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 death, and hell's destruction, 

Land me safe on Canaan's side. 

Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee; 

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;

Land me safe on Canaan's side; 

bid my anxious fears, bid my anxious fears, goodbye.

_{Music and Lyrics: William Williams, Jeremy Casella}

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*Benediction | Numbers 6:24-26 | 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.}

24 The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Kids’ Sunday School

Sunday, October 27, 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 27, 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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Bible Studies

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Women’s Morning Study: Wednesday, October 23

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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