Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Meditation Passage
Isaiah 11:5
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
* Apostolic Greeting
Galatians 1:3
* God Calls His People to Worship
Hebrews 1:1-4
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."
* Invocation
God Commands His People:
Luke 24:44-49
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
We Confess Our Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
Confession of Sin
(Silent confession followed by corporate confession)
Almighty God, we confess that we have not sought to preserve, protect, and promote the lives of others as you have called us to do. Moreover, we have taken away from other’s lives by harboring uncharitable thoughts, speaking unjust words, and acting unkindly toward them. Forgive us, O Lord. Grant us the self-sacrificial love found in your Son, our Savior. Enable us, more and more, to die to ourselves and to protect and promote the lives of those in our church and our families by showing them the cross-bearing love of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Micah 7:18
"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love."
* We Praise God in Song
Doxology (#567)
God Speaks Through His Word
Sermon Scripture Reference: Revelation 3:1-6
Prayer of Illumination
Sermon Title: Sardis: Church of the Walking Dead
Speaker: Rev. Aaron Mize
Prayer of Consecration
Congregational Prayer (Followed by the Lord's Prayer)
Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
* Benediction
Revelation 22:20-21
"He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen."