Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, February 26, 2012

We believe that the grace of faith, by which the elect are enabled to believe so that their souls are saved, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts. Faith is ordinarily produced by the ministry of the Word. By this same ministry and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed by God, faith is increased and strengthened. (14.1)

Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, February 19, 2012

We believe that sanctification extends throughout the whole person, though it is never completed in this life. Some corruption remains in every part. From this arises a continual and irreconcilable war, with the desires of the flesh against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.  We believe that in this war, the remaining corruption may greatly prevail for a time.Yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part overcomes. So the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. They pursue a heavenly life, in gospel obedience to all the commands that Christ as Head and King has given them in his Word. (13.2-3)

Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, February 12, 2012

We believe that those who are united to Christ and effectually called and regenerated have a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the power of Christ's death and resurrection. They are also further sanctified, really and personally, through the same power, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them. The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the various evil desires that arise from it are more and more weakened and put to death. At the same time, those called and regenerated are more and more enlivened and strengthened in all saving graces so that they practice true holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (13.1)

Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, February 5, 2012

By way of reminder; this is the first Sunday of the month; therefore we will NOT be having our Fellowship Hour meal or our regular second hour service.  After our 9:30-11:00 am service we will have a brief break and then have our full hour Communion service from 11:115-12:15 pm. The men of the church are encouraged to come with a short 2-3 minute devotional, a prayer, or a song that the congregation may sing together all the the focus upon the work of Christ for our salvation.

Affirmation of Faith:

We believe that God has granted that all those who are justified would receive the grace of adoption, in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ. By this they are counted among the children of God and enjoy the freedom and privileges of that relationship. They inherit his name, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, and are enabled to cry “Abba, Father!” They are given compassion, protected, provided for, and chastened by him as a father. Yet they are never cast off but are sealed for the day of redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation. (12.1)

Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, January 29, 2012

We believe that God continues to forgive the sins of those who are justified. Even though they can never fall from a state of justification, they may fall under God's fatherly displeasure because of their sins. In that condition they will not usually have the light of his face restored to them until they humble themselves, confess their sins, plead for pardon, and renew their faith and repentance. In all these ways, the justification of believers under the Old Testament was exactly the same as the justification of believers under the New Testament. (11.5-6)

Worship Set and Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, January 22, 2012

Affirmation of Faith:

We believe that from all eternity God decreed to justify all the elect, and in the fullness of time Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification. Nevertheless, they are not justified personally until the Holy Spirit actually applies Christ to them at the proper time. (11.4)

Worship Set:

 Opening Song - "Redeemed"

I Sing Your Power

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross

My Savior's Love (I Stand Amazed in the Presence)

Indescribable

Closing Song - "I Sought the Lord"

"I Sought the Lord"

Text: Anonymous (1878)
Verse 3: Tyler VandenHeuvel (2002)
Music: Ed Godfrey (2002)

I sought the Lord and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him seeking me
It was not I that found O Savior true
No, I was found of Thee

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold
I walked and sank not on the Storm-vexed sea
'Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold
As Thou, dear Lord, to me

It was my sin that bound me fast in pain
You broke the bonds of hell and set me free
'Twas on that day that life I found in Thee
As Thou forgavest me

I find, I walk, I love, but O the whole
Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee
For Thou wert long beforehand with my soul
Always, Thou lovedst me (3x)

This is a song I have really enjoyed learning and am hoping to get it worked up for either/and our Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services:

Come Children of the Risen King

Affirmation of Faith for Sunday, January 15, 2012

We believe that by his obedience and death, Christ fully paid the debt of all those who are justified. He endured in their place the penalty they deserved. By this sacrifice of himself in his bloodshed on the cross, he legitimately, really, and fully satisfied God's justice on their behalf. Yet their justification is based entirely on free grace, because he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction were accepted in their place. These things were done freely, not because of anything in them, so that both the exact justice and the rich grace of God would be glorified in the justification of sinners. (11.3)

Worship Service - January 30, 2011

We open our service this week with a familiar hymn to most “Standing on the Promises” - a testimony to the faithfulness of God in keeping His Word. In Hebrews 10:23 we read, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful...”

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.
 

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Text and Music: R. Kelso Carter, 1886

The first song of our worship set has only been around ten years. In fact, this is the tenth anniversary of “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend; a wonderful expression of hope and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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 all my 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 pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

The next hymn for this week calls us to come to Jesus, for help, for healing and for hope. It is the Indelible Grace version of “Jesus I Come”

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.

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.

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.

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.

As our worship in music continues, we sing “Be Thou My Vision” an ancient Irish hymn. The following background on this hymn was found on NetHymnal.org: The text is attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 8th Century (Rob tu mo bhoile, a Comdi cride) and was translated from ancient Irish to English by Mary E. Byrne, in “Eriú,” Journal of the School of Irish Learning, 1905. The tune, “Slane” is of Irish folk origin. Slane Hill is about ten miles from Tara in County Meath. It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Patrick defied a royal edict by lighting candles on Easter Eve. High King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one could light a fire before Logaire began the pagan spring festival by lighting a fire on Tara Hill. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work. The rest is history.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

The final hymn of the worship set is a long time favorite “redone” hymn. Based upon Isaac Watts, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” - this variation by David Ward of Reformed Praise links the power God used to create the world with the power God used to recreate fallen sinners.

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.

I sing Your power, I sing Your glory,
That You displayed for all to see.
I sing Your goodness, Your loving-kindness,
Of how You showed Your love by redeeming me.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food,
He formed the creatures with His Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Your wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Your glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Your throne;
While all that borrows life from You is ever in Your care;
And everywhere that man can be, You, God are present there.

The service will be closed by singing the text of Jude 24-25

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.