As creator of all things, the Lord is the rightful ruler of the universe. The rebellion of the devil and of humanity is sin precisely because all creation owes worship and allegiance to the Lord. Everything exists to bring glory and honor to him. This is the proper orientation and purpose of all creation. Sin is a usurping of God’s proper place. We twist the people and the world around us so that they fulfill our appetites and desires instead of giving glory to God. In the words of the ancient serpent, “You can be like God.” Creation will not be right without the restoration of this proper order. All things exist for his glory. Let us give God his due and call all creation to do the same.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Great, O Lord, is your kingdom, your power and your glory; great also is your wisdom, your goodness, your justice, your mercy; and for all these we bless you, and will magnify your name for ever and ever.

~ George Wither, 1588-1667

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

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.

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.

Benediction 
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He Is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

~ Joachim Neander, 1650-80, translated by Catherine Winkworth

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
We thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Weekly Reflection on the Sovereign Love of God
The Father is the Creator, the true maker of the cosmos, and is therefore the owner and sovereign disposer of all things. As the Ruler of all things, he covenanted from before time to redeem from Adam’s race a people for himself and for his glory through his Son by his Holy Spirit. As the Author and Director of his own cosmic drama, his Story alone explains, summarizes, and composes the world. God the Father authors his own story, rooted in his tender mercies and great loving-kindness, who determined before time to restore the universe and to redeem through his Son a people who would bring him eternal glory.

~ Don L. Davis, Sacred Roots: A Primer on the Great Tradition.
Wichita: TUMI Press, 2010. pp. 75-76.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Alpha and Omega: King: The Almighty, Daniel 4.34-35

Book Reading
Webber, Common Roots

Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Wednesday, June 23, 2021