Welcome | Rev. Andrew Field, Executive Pastor
Call to Worship | Psalm 100:1-5
Leader: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
All: Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
All: For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Song of Praise | House of the Lord
We worship the God who was
We worship the God who is
We worship the God who evermore will be
He opened the prison doors
He parted the raging sea
My God He holds the victory
(Chorus)
There’s joy in the house of the Lord
There’s joy in the house of the Lord today
And we won’t be quiet
We shout out Your praise
There’s joy in the house of the Lord
Our God is surely in this place
And we won’t be quiet
We shout out Your praise
We sing to the God who heals
We sing to the God who saves
We sing to the God who always makes a way
‘Cause He hung up on that cross
Then He rose up from that grave
My God’s still rolling stones away
(Chorus)
We were the beggars
Now we’re royalty
We were the prisoners
Now we’re running free
We are forgiven, accepted
Redeemed by His grace
Let the house of the Lord sing praise
(Chorus x 2)
Song of Praise | Cornerstone
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name
(Chorus)
Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior’s love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
(Chorus x 2)
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
Prayer of Adoration (Concluded by the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on 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, forever and ever. Amen.
Silent Praise and Thanksgiving
Doxology | Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen
Prayer of Confession | Psalm 32:1-5
Leader: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
All: Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Leader: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
All: For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Leader: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
All: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin
Silent Confession
Words of Encouragement | Romans 8:1-2
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Gotham Commissioning
Song of Praise | Your Labor Is Not in Vain
Your labor is not in vain
though the ground underneath you is cursed and stained
Your planting and reaping are never the same
But your labor is not in vain.
Your labor is not unknown
though the rocks they cry out and the sea it may groan.
The place of your toil may not seem like a home
but your labor is not unknown.
(Chorus)
For I am with you, I am with you.
I am with you, I am with you
For I have called you,
called you by name
Your labor is not in vain.
The vineyards you plant will bear fruit
the fields will sing out and rejoice with the truth,
for all that is old will at last be made new:
the vineyards you plant will bear fruit. (refrain)
(Chorus)
The houses you labored to build
will finally with laughter and joy be filled.
The serpent that hurts and destroys shall be killed
and all that is broken be healed.
(Chorus)
Greetings and Announcements
Scripture Reading | Romans 4:1-8, 4:22-5:2
4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
4:22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (NIV)
Sermon | Acceptance by Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi
Apostle’s Creed
All: 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, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of
God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the
living 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.
*[meaning, the true Christian church of all times and all places]
Prayer of Approach
Words of Institution
Minister: Therefore we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Minister: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
All: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Minister: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Prayers for Those Not Taking the Lord’s Supper.
Redeemer Presbyterian Church welcomes all baptized Christians who actively trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, who are willing to forsake their sin, and who are members of congregations that proclaim the gospel to receive the Holy Communion with us. Baptized children are welcome to receive Communion when they have been confirmed in their faith. If you are not able to receive Communion, please use this time to meditate on one of the following prayers.
Prayer for Those Searching for Truth.
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life you promise. Amen.
Prayer of Belief.
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Commitment.
Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship through membership in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.
[If you are saying the prayer of belief for the first time today, please share with a church officer up front, or let one of the pastors know.]
Distribution of the Bread and Wine
Reflection Song | Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood
From Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands
Could my zeal no respite know
Could my tears forever flow
These for sin could not atone
Thou must save and Thou alone
Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to Thy cross I cling
Naked come to Thee for dress
Helpless look to Thee for grace
Foul, I to the fountain fly
Wash me, Savior, or I die
While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in death
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ
Closing Song | We Will Feast in the House of Zion
(Chorus)
We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things we will say together
We will feast and weep no more
We will not be burned by the fire
He is the Lord our God
We are not consumed by the flood
Upheld, protected, gathered up
(Chorus)
In the dark of night before the dawn
My soul be not afraid
For the promised morning oh how long
Oh God of Jacob be my strength
(Chorus)
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed
You are the faithful one
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together bring shalom
(Chorus)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: Gracious Lord, we give you thanks for calling us out of the darkness and into your glorious light. When we remember the price you paid, the death of your only Son, we wonder and marvel at the greatness of your love. We give our lives to you Lord, and pray that through your Spirit you would teach us how to live according to your will. Send us out now to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of your mercy. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Benediction and Dismissal
Minister: Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All: Thanks be to God!
Musicians
Sungwon Kim | Acoustic Guitar
Leo Traversa | Bass
Damon DueWhite | Drums
Lou Garrett | Mandolin
Chris Weldon | Piano & Vocals
Bonne Kramer | Vocals
Carmen Cancél | Vocals
Song Credits
House of the Lord | Jonathan Smith and Phil Wickham; CCLI#7168995
Cornerstone | Edward Mote, Eric Liljero, Jonas Myrin, William Batchelder Bradbury, and Reuben Morgan; CCLI#6158927
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow | Thomas Ken; CCLI#1046749
Your Labor Is Not in Vain | Paul Zach, Wendell Kimbrough, and Isaac Wardell; CCLI#7097868
Rock of Ages | Words: Augustus M. Toplady; Music: Thomas Hastings
We Will Feast in the House of Zion | Joshua Moore and Sandra McCracken; CCLI#7041364
