In his conversation with Nicodemus, rabbi and member of the Jewish ruling Council called the Sanhedrin, Jesus explains the origins of true faith and the Kingdom of God. Without being born again from the Holy Spirit, one could neither see nor enter into the Kingdom of God. Salvation is entirely from the triune God alone. God the Father so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. The Father’s love, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s impartation of life comprise the salvation of our triune God for us.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Eternal God, thank you for your sweet and abiding love. This is love – not that we loved you but that you loved us and gave to us your very own Son as a sacrifice and atonement for our sins. What shall we do with such love, but to simply love you back, and love our brothers and sisters as ourselves? Flood our hearts with your grace and love, for Christ’s sake, 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 Most High, that you have redeemed us by faith in your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and have born us anew. We now have a new nature, a new future, and a new management. Grant us a desire to live true to that new nature and live as your very own children in the midst of this lost and declining world. We are yours by faith in your only Son. In his name we pray, amen.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
I thank you, dear Savior, for showing to me the love of the Father in your sacrifice for me!

The primary focus of Hebrews is on the perfect worship that Jesus offers to the Father in his life, death, and heavenly exaltation. On the basis of his high-priestly work, however, Christians themselves can draw near to God and serve him in a way that fulfils the promises of the new covenant.

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. p. 238.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Jesus, the Light of the World, John 9.1-41

Book Reading
Peterson, Engaging with God