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G R A C E C O M M U N I T Y

Presbyterian Church, PCA ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

February 16, 2020 10:30 AM

Reflection:

“Festus’ decision to keep Paul at Caesarea was part of God’s invincible

plan to bring Paul to Rome. To bring relief and honor to his servants our

God controls even a king’s insomnia (Esther 6). Since ‘the king’s heart

is…in the hand of the Lord,’ who directs it wherever he pleases (Proverbs

21:1), why do we worry?” Dennis Johnson

Prelude

Welcome

——————WORSHIP IN PRAISE——————

Silent Preparation

Doxology

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.

Call to Worship..........................................................................1 Timothy 3

ALL: Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.

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Hymn of Praise…………………….......…………….Arise, My Soul, Arise

Prayer of Adoration

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Hymn of Preparation……………............................…Rock of Ages (#500)

——————WORSHIP IN CONFESSION AND PARDON——————

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession Words of Comfort and Promise................................................Hebrews 10 When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at

the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be

made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all

time those who are being sanctified.

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Hymn of Response……………………………………..…..In Christ Alone

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Confession of Faith…………………...From the Heidelberg Catechism* Ruling Elder, Brian Nelson

Elder: What does it mean to eat the crucified body and drink the shed

blood of Christ?

People: It means not only to embrace with a believing heart all the

sufferings and death of Christ, and thereby to obtain the

forgiveness of sins and life eternal; but moreover, also, to be

so united more and more to His sacred body by the Holy

Spirit, who dwells both in Christ and in us, that, although He

is in heaven and we on earth, we are nevertheless flesh of His

flesh and bone of His bone, and live and are governed forever

by one Spirit, as members of the same body are governed by

one soul.

The Heidelberg Catechism was written in Heidelberg, Germany at the request of Elector Frederick III, ruler of the most influential German province, the Palatinate, from 1559 to 1576. This pious Christian prince commissioned Zacharius Ursinus, twenty-eight years of age and professor of theology at the Heidelberg University, and Caspar Olevianus, twenty-six years old and Frederick's court preacher, to prepare a catechism for instructing the youth and for guiding pastors and teachers. The Catechism was soon divided into fifty-two sections, so that a section of the Catechism could be explained to the churches each Sunday of the year. The National Synods of the sixteenth century adopted it as one of the Three Forms of Unity, requiring office-bearers to subscribe to it and ministers to explain it to the churches. These requirements were strongly emphasized by the great Synod of Dort in 1618-19. The Heidelberg Catechism has been translated into many languages and is one of the most influential and generally accepted of the several catechisms of Reformation times.

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——————WORSHIP AND THE MEANS OF GRACE——————

The First Reading of God’s Word……………………...1 Samuel 19:1-18

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The Second Reading of God’s Word………………………...Acts 25:1-12

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Reader: This is the Word of God.

People: Amen!

Prayer of Consecration

We offer an optional Children’s Church for children 4 years old through 1st

grade. If you choose to have your children participate, you may dismiss them for

CC as we sing the hymn printed below. Please know we welcome and encourage

your children to remain with you during the sermon. However, in CC they will be

hearing from the same text that the sermon is based upon, so you may discuss the

message as a family after church if you wish to do so.

Hymn of Preparation……….....…….Break Thou the Bread of Life (#146)

Hearing from God’s Word…………………………………..Acts 25:1-12

Rev. Kyle Oliphint Paul Appeals to Caesar

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THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Please see instructions on the inside back cover of your bulletin

Use the quotes below to help focus your heart and mind on this celebration:

“In all your course, walk with God and follow Christ as a little, poor, helpless child, taking

hold of Christ’s hand, keeping your eye on the mark of the wounds on his hands and side,

whence came the blood that cleanses you from sin and hides your nakedness under the skirt of

the white shining robe of his righteousness.” Jonathan Edwards

“The majesty of God’s forgiveness is lost entirely when we lose what has to be forgiven.

What has to be forgiven is not just what we do but who we are, not just our sinning but

our sinfulness, not just our choices but what we have chosen in place of God. . . . When we

miss the biblical teaching, we also miss the nature of God’s grace in all its height and

depth. In biblical faith it is God’s grace through Christ that does for us what we cannot

do for ourselves.” David Wells

“Justification is a presently experienced reality, assuming union with Christ by faith, which

anticipates the final day of judgment. The verdict of this final-day court has already been

announced, although ensuing history continues. Justification is an end-time event in which the

believer stands already, as if in an anticipative sense. Those united to Christ are justified from

all guilt — past, present, and future. God’s final justifying action awaits the end of history,

though the verdict is already known, and celebrated daily in Christian preaching and worship.

Justification on the last day consists of a declaration of righteousness, and an actual admission

into glory. There are not two justifications, one by God and another confirmed by our

obedience, nor one that occurs with faith, and a final justification that occurs at the end time

dependent on our works. There is only one justification, and that is the one that occurs on the

cross.” Thomas Oden

“One moment’s believing, close contact with the cross will do more to break the heart for

sin, deepen the conviction of its exceeding sinfulness, and disenthrall the soul from all its

bondage and its fears, bringing it into a sense of pardon and acceptance and assured

hope, than a lifetime of the most rigid legal duties that ever riveted their iron chain upon

the soul.” Octavius Winslow

“The first care of every Christian ought to be, to lay aside all reliance on works, and strengthen

his faith alone more and more, and by it grow in the knowledge, not of works, but of Christ

Jesus, who has suffered and risen again for him.” Martin Luther

“Everything is necessary that He sends. Nothing can be necessary that He withholds.”

John Newton

“On Christ, and what he has done, my soul hangs for time and eternity. And if your soul also

hangs there, it will be saved as surely as mine shall be. And if you are lost trusting in Christ, I

will be lost with you and will go to hell with you. I must do so, for I have nothing else to rely

upon but the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived, died, was buried, rose again, went to

heaven, and still lives and pleads for sinners at the right hand of God.” Charles Spurgeon

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Communion Hymns

Just As I Am (#501) – Charlotte Elliot/William Bradbury

1. Just as I am, without one plea,

But that thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bidst me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To thee whose blood can cleanse each

spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown

Hath broken every barrier down;

Now, to be thine, yea thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Jesus Cast a Look on Me – John Berridge/Matthew Perryman Jones

1. Jesus cast a look on me,

Give me sweet simplicity.

Make me poor and keep me low,

Seeking only Thee to know.

2. All that feeds my busy pride,

Cast it evermore aside.

Bid my will to Thine submit,

Lay me humbly at Thy feet.

3. Make me like a little child,

Of my strength and wisdom spoiled,

Seeing only in Thy light,

Walking only in Thy might.

4. Leaning on Thy loving breast,

Where a weary soul can rest,

Feeling well the peace of God,

Flowing from His precious blood.

5. In this posture let me live,

And hosannas daily give.

In this temper let me die,

And hosannas ever cry.

Jesus I Am Resting, Resting – Jean S. Pigott/David Hampton

1. Jesus I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power

Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain: Jesus I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy Loving Heart.

2. Oh how great Thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

O, how marvelous Thy goodness

Lavished all on me!

Yes I rest in Thee, beloved

Know what wealth of grace is Thine

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine. Refrain

3. Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold thee as thou art,

And thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longing,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings;

Thine is love indeed! Refrain

4. Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ‘neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace. Refrain

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——————WORSHIP IN GRATITUDE——————

Offertory......................................................................Like a River GloriousLike a river glorious is God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious in its bright increase:

Perfect, yet still flowing fuller every day;

Perfect, yet still growing deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,

Finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of his mighty hand,

Where no harm can follow, in his strength we stand.

We may trust him fully all for us to do;

Those who trust him wholly find him wholly true.

Closing Hymn…............………………..We Will Feast in the House f Zion

Benediction

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We are providing these monthly financial updates in order to keep you

updated with your generosity in 2020.

January: $43,062.65

Various Bible Reading Plans are available on our website.

Go to gcpcfw.org and click on the Bible Reading Plans page and choose

one that best suits you and your family.

Your Weekly Devotions: We provide you a small, printed booklet as

your bulletin with the hope that you will use it in your devotional time in

the week ahead. Consider reviewing the passages used in various parts of

our service, reading the context and studying the intent. Choose a

different hymn to sing or meditate on daily. Review the passage the

sermon was based on alongside the notes you took. Read next week’s

passage (below) that the sermon will be based on as a way of preparation.

Remember that we try to provide you access to the upcoming bulletin by

mid-week to enhance your preparation for next week.

Allow this morning’s service to catapult you into a week where God

continues to feed you His truths from our corporate worship service and

access next week’s service to help you prepare for our upcoming

corporate worship service.

Next Week’s Passage:

• Preaching: Acts 25:1-12

Nursery Volunteers (please arrive by 10:15)

• Today: James and Kristen McClure

• Next week: Kevin and Dana Milyo

▪ 3/1: John and Kris Mooney

▪ 3/8: Morris and Mary Ann Neel

▪ 3/15: Brian and Anne Nelson

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Student Ministries of Grace:

• Roots Discipleship Ministry: our covenant ministry to our students continues this

Wednesday, February 18th.

Guys of Grace:

• Men’s Bible study continues this Wednesday, February 18th. For more information

please contact Sean Henry at seanph10@yahoo.com or 678-438-5720.

• Save the date for a Guys of Grace retreat April 24-25. More details and sign-ups to

come soon, but for now we hope you'll mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Ladies of Grace:

• The Ladies of Grace spring Bible study will begin THIS WEEK! Tuesday, Feb.

17, 10am, and Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7 pm. We will be studying I Peter. Please see

or message Tracy Carter, Michelle Shrewsberry, or Diane Armitage TODAY and

let them know whether you’ll be attending the morning or evening session. We

need a headcount to order books.

Missions of Grace:

• Please note that the trip dates for next year’s Reynosa Missions Trip July 25-31,

2020. More details to come soon! Please contact John Rohde at

john.rohde63@gmail.com if you have any questions about the trip.

Financial Peace University Class

• Our deacons are offering the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Class lead

and taught by Jerry Hames. Class start date will be February 18th. Classes will be

Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm at the church. Send an email to

jerry.a.hames@gmail.com if interested.

Youth and Family Position Filled!

• Members of GCPC received a letter in late January announcing that Andrew

Sarnicki has accepted GCPC’s offer to serve our church in ministering to our youth

and families. The letter also described God's goodness in superintending a thorough

process that moved quicker than we had hoped or expected. Andrew and his family

plan to move to our area by mid-March. Please join us in thanking God for His

faithfulness in providing this man and his family to our church so quickly, and

please pray for the Sarnickis as they make this transition. Watch this space for more

information as their arrival draws near.