We Gather Together
Adrianus Valerius, Theodore Baker
We gather together
To ask the Lord's blessing
He chastens and hastens
His will to make known
The wicked oppressing
Now cease from distressing
Sing praises to His Name
He forgets not His own
Beside us to guide us
Our God with us joining
Ordaining, maintaining
His kingdom divine
So from the beginning
The fight we were winning
Thou, Lord, were at our side
All glory be Thine
We all do extol Thee
Thou Leader triumphant
And pray that Thou still
Our Defender will be
Let Thy congregation
Escape tribulation
Thy Name be ever praised
O Lord, make us free
With voices United
Our praises we offer
To thee in thanksgiving
Glad anthems we raise
Thy strong arm will guide us
For thou art beside us
To Father, Son, and Spirit
Forever be praised
Call to Worship
Psalm 78
We will tell the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord! And his might, and the wonders that he has done!
God has spoken to his people, and he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know his Word, and set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
Yet his people sinned against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. Their heart was not steadfast toward him. They were not faithful to his covenant.
Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against his people; his anger rose against them, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them. He restrained his anger and did not stir up all his wrath.
The Lord shepherded and guided his people, with an upright heart, and with his skillful hand.
Hallelujah for the Cross
Ross King, Todd Wright
Up to the hill of Calvary
My Savior went courageously
And there he bled and died for me
Hallelujah for the cross
And on that day the world was changed
A final, perfect lamb was slain
Let earth and heaven now proclaim
Hallelujah for the cross
Hallelujah for the war He fought
Love has won, death has lost
Hallelujah for the souls He bought
Hallelujah for the cross
What good I’ve done could never save
My debt too great for deeds to pay
But God, my Savior, made a way
Hallelujah for the cross
A slave to sin, my life was bound
But all my chains fell to the ground
When Jesus’ blood came flowing down
Hallelujah for the cross
Hallelujah for the war He fought
Love has won, death has lost
Hallelujah for the souls He bought
Hallelujah for the cross
And when I breathe my final breath
I’ll have no need to fear that rest
This hope will guide me into death
Hallelujah for the cross
Hallelujah for the war He fought
Love has won, death has lost
Hallelujah for the souls He bought
Hallelujah for the cross
Congregational Prayer
From The Valley of Vision
Heavenly Father,
You have revealed to us that you are the fullness of goodness - abounding in strength, wisdom, mercy, and love. In you is all the goodness that we need, and all the grace necessary to draw us to yourself.
Help us to cleave to you, and to always seek you.
Help us to pursue holiness, so that we might enjoy true happiness.
Help us to prepare for death, by trusting in Christ, and obeying your Word, and living for your glory.
In Jesus’s name.
Amen.
New City Catechism
Question 24
Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.
You Alone Can Rescue
Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman
Who, O Lord, could save themselves
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
You, oh Lord, have made a way
The great divide You heal
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, your love goes further still
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
Holy, Holy, Holy
Reginald Heber, John B. Dykes
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee
Who was and is, and evermore shall be
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, love, and purity
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Better Is One Day
Matt Redman
How lovely is Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
My heart and flesh cry out
For You the living God
Your spirit's water to my soul
I've tasted and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere