This Week’s Theme
Peace and Love through the Trinity
Romans 5.1-5
Paul speaks directly of the effects of being justified before God on the basis of faith in Christ. We have peace with God, and exult in hope of the glory of God. We also exult in tribulations, since they bring about perseverance, which brings about character, which brings about a hope that does not disappoint. Now, through faith in Christ, the very love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit whom God gave to us.
Indeed, the work of salvation is essentially Trinitarian; designed through the purpose and plan of the Father, accomplished through the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Savior, and applied through the indwelling and transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Our triune God is both the Author and Actor of the greatest Story ever told, a story that still awaits its climax and end at the Second Coming of Christ.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
O Lord, God Almighty, Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the mysteries of whose being are unsearchable: Accept, we beseech thee, our praises for the revelation which thou hast made of thyself, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons, and one God; and mercifully grant that ever holding fast this faith we may magnify thy glorious Name; who livest and reignest one God, world without end.
~ Scottish Prayer Book (Geffen, p. 88)
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Wednesday: Isa. 34-35; Mic. 2-5
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 8
OT: Prov. 8.1-4, 22-31
Gospel: John 16.12-15
NT: Romans 5.1-5
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits 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 Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Blessed and immortal Trinity, mighty Father, only begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, you are our first beginning and last end. We praise, adore, and magnify you and implore you to conduct us into endless bliss with all the host of angels and the legion of saints who worship you, now and forever. Amen.
~ Roman Missal (Storey, p. 195)
Affirmation for the Day
We exult in tribulations that produce for us perseverance, and proven character, and hope.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for your great salvation that you have worked for us.
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
Matthew 9.35-38
Book Reading
Finley, Reformation in Foreign Missions
Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Monday, June 17, 2019