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First Church of Merrimack, NH A Member Congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Founded 1771
June 14, 2020 10:45 am Worship Service
7 Baboosic Lake Road / P.O. Box 507 Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
603-424-3947 / 603-424-3133 www.firstchurchofmerrimack.org
Rev. Dr. Allen C. Tomlinson, Pastor [email protected]
THE ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP As we enter the Sanctuary, let us be thoughtful of others
who are preparing for Worship by prayer and meditation.
NOW TO GOD THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT BE ASCRIBED EXALTED PRAISES. AMEN
Apostolic Greeting Pastor Allen Tomlinson
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 16:24)
Heart Preparation
Call to Worship (Below) Hebrews 10:19-23
“19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
†*Hymn #211 (Page 6) “We All Believe in One True God”
*Invocation & the Lord’s Prayer Elder Chris Jennings
*Gloria Patri
* Please stand, if able * -2-
Confessional Reading (Below) Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1
Question 1: What is thy only comfort in life and death? Answer: That I with body and soul,1 both in life and death, am not my own,2 but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;3 who, with His precious blood,4 hath fully satisfied for all my sins,5 and delivered me from all the power of the devil;6 and so preserves me7 that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;8 yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,9 and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,10 and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.11
1I Corinthians 6:19-20; 2Romans 14:7-9; 3I Corinthians 3:23; 4I Peter 1:18-19; 5I John 1:7; 6 I John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14-15; 7John 6:39; 10:28-29; 8Luke 21:18; Matthew 10:30; 9Romans 8:28; 102 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; 11Romans 8:14; 7:22
Prayer of Confession of Sin (Below)
Heavenly Father, we come seeking Your mercy and grace in Jesus Christ again, once more putting all our hope and trust in Him as our only Redeemer and Mediator with You. We have acknowledged that we are not our own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ. But we know that we have failed to live up to that reality, for we have sinned both in body and in soul, against Your holy Law, against Your righteousness and infinite holiness. We confess our many sins. So we come to You only because we do believe that Jesus Christ has fully paid for all our sins with His precious blood. That He does deliver those who call upon Him from the tyranny of the devil. That He does watch over us, so that not a hair cam fall from our heads apart from Your perfect will for us. That it is indeed true that all things must work together for the salvation of those who belong to Jesus Christ. We bless You for the assurance that the Holy Spirit gives us, that we have eternal life in our Savior. And we pray that He will continue to make us wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for the Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Assurance of Pardon (Below) I John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
*Hymn #189 (Page 7) “Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lord Most Dear”
Baptism Margaret Sorrel Dopson Pastoral Prayer
Old Testament Reading (Below) Ezekiel 36:25-26
25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
New Testament Reading (Below) Mark 7:1-9
Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” 6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with
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their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Congregational “Amen!”
Sermon “Sprinkled Clean! Sprinkling: The Biblical Mode of Baptism” Pastor Allen Tomlinson, Preaching
Prayer of Application
*Hymn #194 (pg 13) “Gracious Savior, Gentle Shepherd”
*Benediction
*Hymn of Departure (Below) “Now Blessed Be the Lord Our God”
Now blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel, For He alone doth wondrous works in glory that excel.
And blessed be His glorious Name to all eternity: The whole earth let His glory fill. Amen, so let it be. Amen.
Organ Postlude
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SPRINKLED CLEAN! SPRINKLING:
THE BIBLICAL MODE OF BAPTISM {A fuller version of this study is available in the church office!}
I. THE OLD TESTAMENT SPRINKLING CEREMONIES
UNDER THE CEREMONIAL LAW ARE CALLED “BAPTISMS”
BY THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Hebrews 9:10, 19-22 “… concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. . . 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.’ 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”
The word translated “washings”, referring to the Old Testament
ceremonial sprinklings, is literally the word for “baptisms” in the original
language.
II. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF AND LANGUAGE USED IN
NEW TESTAMENT BAPTISMS SUGGEST SPRINKLING
INSTEAD OF IMMERSION.
1. The scarcity of water in the geographical regions in which
baptisms took place (and sometimes several thousand baptisms at
once). For example: John 3:23; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:33.
2. The language describing baptism fits with sprinkling instead of
immersion: Acts 10:47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
The way to express immersing someone in Greek and English is not “can
anyone forbid water” but “can anyone forbid the person going to the water.”
Literal translation, “Surely no one is able to forbid the water in order that these
who have received the Holy Spirit, as we also have, should be baptized?” I
cannot make this text fit immersion, but it fits sprinkling perfectly!
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III. OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES SPOKE OF THE
CLEANSING FROM SIN WHICH COMES BY THE BLOOD OF
JESUS CHRIST IN “SPRINKLING” TERMS.
1. Ezekiel 36:25-27 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and
you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and
from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit
within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give
you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you
to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do
them.” This is a prophesy of NT salvation in Christ!
2. Isaiah 52:14-15 “Just as many were astonished at you, So His
visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the
sons of men; 15 So shall He sprinkle many nations.” Chapters 52-53
are dealing with the same theme, New Covenant cleansing by the death
of Jesus Christ!
3. Joel 2:28 “"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour
out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall
see visions.” This salvation in Christ is also called a baptism by the
Spirit in the NT, and here that baptism is described, not in immersion
terms, but in terms of pouring upon.
But not only does the OT prophesy of New Covenant cleansing from
sin by Christ’s blood as a sprinkling or pouring, but …
IV. THE NEW TESTAMENT REFERS TO THIS CLEANSING
FROM SIN BY CHRIST’S BLOOD AS A SPRINKLING OF THAT
BLOOD, SO THAT BAPTISM BY SPRINKLING IS A VERY
APPROPRIATE PICTURE OF THAT SALVATION!
1. I Peter 1:1-2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of
the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in
sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood
of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” God the
Father has chosen us and God the Holy Spirit has set us apart for this
salvation by God the Son. This salvation is justification (sprinkling by
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the blood of Jesus Christ) and sanctification (obedience). OR, the
obedience is a reference to trusting in Christ’s sprinkled blood as an
obedience to the call of the Gospel, as we find elsewhere in the NT.
2. Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Because we
have this High Priest, Jesus Christ God’s eternal Son, and because He
has shed His blood and opened the way of salvation for those for whom
He died, let us come having our guilty consciences sprinkled clean by
that blood and our sinful practices washed away by His cleansing Word.
3. Hebrews 12:22-24 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable
company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to
the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the
new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better
things than that of Abel.” Coming to Jesus Christ for salvation from
the guilt and consequences of our sin, which the Law could not deliver
us from, we come to His blood that sprinkles us clean from such guilt
and consequences, even as pictured in the OT sprinkling ceremonies!
Both the OT and the NT refer to the salvation which is
signified and sealed in Christian baptism as a sprinkling
with Christ’s blood and Word!
CONCLUSION: Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your
only Savior from sin? If so, you have been cleansed from the guilt of
your sin by means of His atoning blood, shed for sinners on the
Cross. If not, why not trust Him today? We are all sinners, but
there is cleansing from our sin and its guilt by faith in Jesus Christ,
God’s eternal Son!
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The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension
Home Missions Today This is Al Tricarico reporting the June 10, 2020, edition of Home Missions Today. God is
using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across
North America.
WEST PLAINS, MISSOURI — Paul and Sarah Mourreale We are pleased to welcome to denominational support the Rev. Paul Mourreale,
organizing pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in West Plains, Missouri. Paul is
married to Sarah and they have four children: Abigail (12), Silas (10), Matthias (8),
and Grace (6). The groundwork for the mission work began roughly four years ago
when Dr. Curtis Horstman, a ruling elder at Sovereign Grace Reformed Church
(mother church in Doniphan 70 miles to the east) had the idea of starting a Bible
study in hopes that it might become a mission work. When that fell through, Dr.
Horstman then had the idea of recruiting an OPC minister to teach at the local
Christian school with hopes of developing a work in West Plains. After about two
years of conversations, Paul came to West Plains in July 2018 and began teaching at
the school that fall. In March 2019, they began a monthly Bible study and began to
form a core group. They began meeting for Lord’s Day worship on September 22.
Right now, Covenant is looking to get her feet back under her (like everyone) after
dealing with Covid-19. You can pray that they would be diligent to learn and grow
together, that God’s pleasure would be upon their work, and that Covenant
Reformed Church might make a strong impression for the Gospel on their
community.
KEY WEST, FLORIDA — Bill Welzien Pastor Bill Welzien reports that the work of Keys Presbyterian Church (KPC)
continues despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 Virus. KPC is blessed never
to have missed gathering for worship. What the session proposed and implemented
was splitting the congregation into two groups. One group was appointed to attend
the morning service and the other to attend the evening service. The services were
mirror images. The only difference was that the evening service was live on
Facebook for those who chose to sequester. This worked very well. It meant that the
celebration of the Lord’s Supper was never missed. As time went on and the threat
seemed less threatening more and more of the saints began to attend both services.
The Tuesday prayer meeting and Bible study also never skipped a beat. Pastor
Welzien shares that the open-air preaching was halted as the County closed the one road into the Keys and the public places closed. These restrictions are now
rescinded, and the County is beginning to reopen. Please pray for the
Congregational Meeting this Sunday, June 14. A search committee for Pastor
Welzien’s successor will be assembled. Pray that God’s choice to carry on the work
in Key West would be made clear! -14-
OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN — Bob and Grace Holda As of May 31, Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) resumed in-person
worship with some modifications and basic safety precautions in place.
Pastor Bob Holda reports that they have enjoyed solid attendance from
members and visitors. RPC is also hoping to continue the live-stream
ministry they began in March as they know it could bolster their evangelism
ministry. A Swahili-speaking couple from the Congo and their children
continue to attend worship on a regular basis. Please pray that RPC would
wisely and compassionately take advantage of this opportunity to care for
this family and, in particular, help them learn English. Preparations for
starting a new Sunday School ministry continue. They hope to officially
begin this September. Pray for qualified teachers to volunteer, for wisdom
about curriculum, and that the congregation would adjust well to a new
Sunday worship schedule. “All in all, our church is enjoying God’s peace and
unity in Christ. Pray that nothing overshadows the love we enjoy from God
in Christ and the common life and purpose we have as his people in these
days of great division.” Also, Pastor Bob and Grace welcomed their third
child, Allen Michael, into their family on May 5! Grace and Allen are both
doing very well. Thank you for your prayers!
HURON/SANDUSKY, OHIO — Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Organizing Pastor Larry Oldaker writes, “Thank you for your continued
prayers. At its spring stated meeting in mid-March the Presbytery of Ohio
approved motions to organize Firelands Grace OPC as a new and separate
congregation of the OPC. Expectations were high and just when we thought
our northern Ohio winter hibernation was nearly over the Covid-19 pandemic
hit. Like everyone we learned how to stay home. A few of us would travel to
the church building and we would conduct a shortened worship which was
live-streamed over the internet. Life froze over again. Everything including
plans for organization went on hold. Things are starting to ‘thaw out’ in Ohio
once again. We started meeting for in-person worship on May 3. About two
thirds of our families are back. Cody, a newly elected elder and the former
independent Pentecostal pastor of the group that joined us, owns his own
roofing business. He has had many conversations about the hope in Christ
with local small business owners affected by the shutdown of the economy.
Our online worship services are being seen by many more than our own
numbers. We have had some extra visitors. We are trying to minister the
gospel where and when we can. Things are different but the gospel is the
same. The need for a Savior is the same. Pray for us that we can share the
gospel here in love and in confidence.”
Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. To receive an
email copy of Home Missions Today, send your request to [email protected].
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WEEKLY CALENDAR
TODAY: 6/14/20 9:30 A.M. NO Sunday school 10:45 A.M. Morning Worship Service in Sanctuary and streamed online 6:00 P.M. Evening Worship Service in Sanctuary and streamed online
TUESDAY: 6/16/20 7:30 P.M. Annual Meeting in Church Sanctuary WEDNESDAY: 6/17/20 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Evening Bible Fellowship in Fellowship Hall
SATURDAY: 6/20/20 9:00 A.M. Truth Unchanged and Unchanging Radio Ministry on WDER,
AM - 1320, FM - 92.1, on the Web - http://player.tritondigital.com/15101 or on TuneIn.com
NEXT SUNDAY: 6/21/20 9:30 A.M. NO Sunday school 10:45 A.M. Morning Worship Service in Sanctuary and streamed online 6:00 P.M. Evening Worship Service with Communion in Sanctuary and streamed online
ANNOUNCEMENTS – 6/14/20
WEDNESDAY PRAYER AND BIBLE FELLOWSHIP: Wednesday Evening Bible Study begins at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Pastor Allen is teaching from the Book of Job.
WORSHIP SERVICES: For those who cannot resume physical worship here at the church you can still access the worship services either from
https://firstchurchofmerrimack.org/live, or you can follow the Facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/firstchurchofmerrimack) or the YouTube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTfTRBwJ3vxbxdJU9Io0_nQ) to be notified of when we go live.
PRAYER AGENDA EMAILED SEPARATELY
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