God has been remarkably gracious to his creation, entrusting his blessings and possessions to us: life, health, goods, wealth, even our moments and time. As believers, let us give thanks to the Father through Jesus Christ for his abundant love and grace, his gifts and direction, his provision and instruction. Following his example and his love for those who give cheerfully, let us give neither reluctantly nor under compulsion. Rather, let us with an open soul give as we decide in our hearts, sowing bountifully to the Lord who gives all things to enjoy.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Thank you, heavenly Father, for the wondrous generosity you have bestowed upon us all: provisions in life and godliness, a generosity chiefly seen in the gracious gift of your only Son as the Savior of the world. In the spirit of your gracious love to us each day, help us to cultivate a generous spirit like yours. As you love a cheerful giver, help us to give cheerfully with an open hand and heart to those who need our care and love. In Your name we pray, amen.

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 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for offering your life for us that we might live forever. Such a gift inspires us to be like you, and like your Father, who willingly offered you up as a sacrifice for our sin on the Cross. Now, through your Spirit, flood us with your love, that we might in all areas of our lives, cheerfully give to others as you have given freely to us. Make us like you, for your name’s sake, amen.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Thanks be to you, O God of our lives, for the abundant goodness and grace you give to us each day!

The most important thing about us is the God we worship, and the God we worship will determine the kind of royal priesthood we become. In short, we ultimately become like what we worship, and this is especially true for members of the priesthood of all believers. Christians serve a triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Why does it matter that Nicene Christians serve the triune God revealed by Jesus Christ? As a royal priesthood, we have direct access to God and are privileged to represent God to others and others to God. But our God is not the Allah of the Qur’an or the Ahman of the Mormon faith. Our God is a Trinity, and as members of Christ’s royal priesthood we serve the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

~ Uche Anizor and Hank Voss, Representing Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016. p. 85.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Everlasting Dominion to Come, Daniel 7.1-18

Book Reading
Anizor and Voss, Representing Christ

Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Special Church Year Services
Reformation Day: Monday, October 31, 2022
All Saints Day: Tuesday, November 1, 2022