PHILADELPHIA: THE SMALL BUT FAITHFUL CHURCH (Revelation 3: 7 - 13)

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading: Psalm 30 (Hymnal, Pagx 129)

Opening Hymn 538 –“Now The Shades Of Night Are Gone”

The Invocation & Confessional Prayer

A Responsive Scripture Reading (Interspersed Hymn Stanzas)

P: “We always thank God for you, beloved of the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
C: He called us to this through the Gospel, so that we might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, let us stand firm and hold to the teachings passed on to us, whether by word or letter.”

P: “We also thank God continually, because when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God.
C: As beloved of the Lord, His Gospel has come to us not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. As children of our Father, we are encouraged and urged to live lives worthy of God, Who calls us in Christ into His kingdom and glory.” (1 & 2 Thessalonians)

Sing: Abide, O dearest Jesus, among us with Thy grace
That Satan may not harm us. Nor we to sin give place.

Abide, O dear Redeemer, Among us with Thy Word
And thus now and hereafter True peace and joy afford.

Abide with heav'nly brightness Among us, precious Light;
Thy Truth direct and keep us From error's gloomy night.

P: “Jesus said, ' If you continue in My Word, you are truly My disciples.
C: And you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.”

P: “God's grace has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, Who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Of this Gospel I have been called as a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am.
C: “Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.” (John 8 an 2 Timothy 1)

Sing: Abide with richest blessings Among us, bounteous Lord;
Let us in grace and wisdom Grow daily through Thy Word.

Abide, O faithful Savior, Among us with Thy Love;
Grant steadfastness and help us To reach our home above.

The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucifed, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 264 (V 1, 5-6) - “Preserve Thy Word, O Savior”

The Sermon ................ Revelation 3: 7 - 13

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him Who is holy and true,Who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your works. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars – I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowlege that I have loved you. Since you have patiently endured, I will keep you from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never will He leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the city of my God, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God; And I will write on him My new Name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

PHILADELPHIA: THE SMALL BUT FAITHFUL CHURCH

Hymn 477 (V 1-2) - “Lord Jesus, Thou The Church's Head”

Our Gifts For The Lord's Kingdom Work

Our Prayers And Our Lord's Blessing

Closing Hymn 291 - “Lamp Of Our Feet Whereby We Trace”

Silent Prayer and Announcements

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

THE GRACE OF GOD WORKING THROUGH US (Matthew 25: 14 – 30)

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading: Psalm 31, Page 130 (Front Of Hymnal)

Song By ILC Youth - “The Kingdom Of the Lord”
(Director: Cathy Augustin; Accompanist: Susan Rehm; Flute – Sarah Tester)

Opening Hymn 773 (Supplement) - “Rise Shine, You People”

The Invocation and Responsive Confessional Psalm 51

P: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
C: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
P: Against You, You only have I sinned & done this evil in Your sight.
C: Surely I have been sinful from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.

The Absolution By The Pastor

P: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

C: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners shall be converted to You. My tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
P: O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
C: Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness.

The Scripture Reading - Romans 10: 4 -15

Sinful man can neither fulfill nor keep God's holy Law as required nor provide the righteousness to end its eternal judgment upon the sinner. But what man cannot do God has done for us in Christ. He has given us His Son and His Word in which we find Him and by faith believe and confess Him. And this great Savior is God's gift to all nations and races. And this wonderful Gift is brought to us through those whom God has called and sent to proclaim the Gospel of peace and the Good News of comfort, hope and blessing in Jesus Christ.

The Baptism Hymn 750 (Supplement) - “See This Wonder”

The Baptismal Affirmation – Emma Kathleen Starland

The Apostles Creed (Hymnal, Page 12)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 770 (Supplement) - “I Hear The Savior Calling”

The Sermon ................... Matthew 25: 14 – 30

For the Kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; And immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went & dug in the ground & hid his money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, “Lord, you delivered me five talents; Look, I have gained five more talents besides them.”. His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord!”He also who had received two talents came and said, “Lord, you delivered to me two talents; Look, I have gained two more talents besides them.” His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord! Then he who had received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.” But his lord answered and said to him, “You wicked and lazy servant; You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; But from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

THE GRACE OF GOD WORKING THROUGH US

Hymn 496 - “Hark, The Voice Of Jesus Crying!”

The Offering, Prayers and Benediction

The Closing Hymn 511 (V 1-3,6) - “Jesus Shall Reign.....”

Silent Prayer And Announcements

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

PRAY TO BE A CHURCH FAITHFUL IN DOCTRINE AND LIFE (Revelation 2: 18 - 29)

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading: Psalm 25 (Hymnal, Pagx 128)

Opening Hymn 293 –“O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace”

The Invocation & Responsive Reading Of Psalm 143, Page 155

The Absolution And Order Of Matins – Page 32 Only

P: O Lord, open Thou my lips.
C: And my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

P: Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
C: Make haste to help me, O Lord.Glory be to the Father and to the
Son and to the Holy ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Hallelujah!

The Scripture Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4: 12 - 24
(An Encouragement To To Follow Our Lord With Faithfulness
To His Word In Our Confession And Our Lives.)

The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucifed, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 292 (V 1-3, 6-9) - “Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide”

The Sermon ................... Revelation 2: 18 - 29

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, Whose eyes are blazing fire and Whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and she has not repented. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering and those with her unless they repent. Then all the churches will know that I am He Who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay according to their deeds. Now I say to the rest who do not hold to her teaching and have not embraced Satan's deep secrets. Hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does My will to the end, I will give him the Morning Star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

PRAY TO BE A CHURCH FAITHFUL IN DOCTRINE AND LIFE

Hymn 473 - “The Churches One Foundation”

Our Gifts For The Lord's Kingdom Work

Our Prayers And Our Lord's Blessing

Hymn 466 (V 1 & 4) - “Christ, Thou Art The Sure Foundation”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Corinthians 10: 12 - 13

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading: Psalm 31, Page 130 (Front Of Hymnal)

Opening Hymn 398 - “Renew Me, O Eternal Light”

The Order Of Service ................ Hymnal, Pages 5 – 9
(Substitute Hymn 237:1 For “Gloria En Excelsis”, Pages 7-9)

The Scripture - 1 Corinthians 10: 1 - 13
The spiritual history of Israel is indeed mixed – filled with much evidence both of man's sinfulness and God's judgments & mercies. In spite of divine presence, purpose and power constantly at work in their lives and history,sin and Satan continue to rear their heads at every turn. Yet God's love and covenant promises remained sure as He contually forgave their repentant hearts, led and guided them and ulti-mately fulfilled His saving purposes through them and in them. In all of that there is a powerful warning, example and promise for us who face similar temptations and sin-struggles in our lives, as well. Indeed, God is faithful..

The Apostles Creed (Hymnal, Page 12)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hadn of God the Father almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 413 (V 1-2, 5-6) - “I Walk In Danger All The Way”

The Sermon ..................... 1 Corinthians 10: 12 - 13

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; But God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be temted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

(Sermon Prayer: Hymn 410)

Hymn 421 - “Come Follow Me”

The Offering, Prayers And Benediction

Closing Hymn 425 (V 1-4) - “All Depends On Our Possessing”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

JOSEPH : A CHRISTIAN ROLE MODEL

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading: Psalm 111 (Hymnal, Page 127)

Opening Vacation Bible School Recitation
(Romans 8:31, Genesis 39:9, Galatians 6:10, Eph. 4:32; Jer. 29:11)

Vacation Bible School Song - “Let Us Walk In The Light”

Opening Hymn 246 –“Holy, Holy, Holy!”
(Trumpet Descant – ILC Students)

The Invocation & Responsive Reading Of Psalm 119 (Excerpts)

P: How shall a young man keep his way pure?
C: By living according to Your Word.

P: I seek You with all my heart; Do not let me stray from Your Word. Praise be to You, O Lord; Teach me Your Will.
C: I meditate on Your teachings and consider Your Will; I rejoice in Your Word as one rejoices in great riches. I delight in Your Word and will not neglect it.
P: Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; It stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations.
C: Your Word endures to this day; For you Yourself have taught me. Oh, how I love Your Word; For it gives me understanding and blessing and makes me wiser than all my enemies.
P: Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in Your commandments; Turn my eyes and heart away from worthless things.Let not sin rule over me; Make Your face shine upon Your servant.
C: Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Sustain me according to Your promise; Uphold me, and I will be delivered. For all Your words are true and trustworthy.
P: My soul longs for Your salvation, for I have put my hope in Your Word. Save me, for I am Yours today and forever. Preserve my life in your righteousness.
C: Your statutes are my heritage forever; They are the joy of my heart; My heart is set on keeping Your Words to the very end. May Your unfailing love be my comfort. Let me live that I may praise You.

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; From thence He shall come again to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 286 - “How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?”

The Sermon ........... Childrens' Texts

JOSEPH : A CHRISTIAN ROLE MODEL

1. In Handling Adversity
2. In Rejecting Temptation
3. In Using God's Blessings
4. In Forgiving His Brothers
5. In Trusting God's Future Promises

The Offering And “Christian Questions”

The Consecration And Distribution Of The Holy Sacrament
Hymn 306 - “Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Hast Prepared”

(Because God's Word presents the reception of this Sacrament as an intimate expression of spiritual and confessional unity, we ask that only those who are confirmed members of Berea or another CLC congregation come forward. This is not a judgment on anyone's faith, only an expression of ours. Any having questions or seeking a church home is invited to speak with Pastor.)

The Lord's Prayer, Benediction & Closing Hymn: “Sent Forth”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.