Welcome | Rev. Alan Charnock, Director of Community Engagement
Call to Worship | From Colossians 1:15-16
Leader: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created.
All: All things have been created through him and for him.
Song of Praise | Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Here I find my greatest treasure
Hither by Thy help I’ve come
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Bought me with His precious blood
Teach me ever to adore Thee
May I still Thy goodness prove
While the hope of endless glory
Fills my heart with joy and love
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Song of Praise | In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
’Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
’Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!
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 | Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
All thy works shall praise thy name
In earth, and sky, and sea
Holy, holy, holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity
Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, we come before you confessing our sins: impure thoughts, selfish desires, evil passions, and their wicked fruit — cruel words and unjust acts.
Keep us, Lord, from pride, arrogance, and scornful judgment of others.
Lord, you know our temptations and struggles.
Keep us from trusting in anything except your grace.
Show mercy to us that we may seek the righteousness of faith, that we may be forgiven, and that we may be strengthened each day by your Holy Spirit, to serve you in the joy of liberty.
Silent Confession
Words of Encouragement | 1 John 1:8-9
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Worship Element | Prayers of the People
Song of Praise | Almighty God
Almighty God to You all hearts are open
Search and know our thoughts and anxious fears
Wash us in the fountain of Your mercy
Come with Your light we cannot hide from You
Almighty God to You all hearts are open
With gratitude we raise our song to You
Come and fill the praises of Your people
In grace and truth You make us new again
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Almighty God to You all hearts are open
We long for more than what this world provides
No shallow spring will ever satisfy us
But Your river deep floods over everything
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Almighty God to You all hearts are open
You take away our sickness and our sin
Oh Lamb of God we gather at Your table
In bread and wine You have supplied our needs
Offering
Greetings and Announcements
Scripture Reading | Genesis 1:26-31
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Sermon | God Made You 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.
Invitation: We welcome all baptized Christians who actively trust in Jesus for salvation, forsake their sin, and are members of gospel churches to receive Communion. Baptized children may receive Communion when they are confirmed in their faith. If you are not ready to receive Communion, please use this time to meditate on one of these prayers.
Prayer for those searching for truth:
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. 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 free, beautiful, and good 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.
[If you are praying in belief for the first time today, please share with a church leader or one of the pastors so we can help you.]
Distribution of the Bread and Wine
Song of Response | 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
Song of Response | Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
He won’t He won’t
I’ve still got joy in chaos
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
So I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on You
I’m safe with You
I’m gonna make it through
Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on You
I’m safe with You
I’m gonna make it through
I’m going to make it through
‘Cause I’m standing strong on You
I’m going to make it through
‘Cause my house is built on You
I’m going to make it through
‘Cause I’m standing strong on You
I’m going to make it through
‘Cause my house is built on You
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
He won’t
He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
He won’t
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
Tony Lewis | Drums
Evelyn Brandes | Violin
Chris Weldon | Piano & Vocals
Carmen Cancél | Vocals
Jennifer Lin | Vocals
Song Credits
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing | John Wyeth and Robert Robinson; CCLI#108389
In Christ Alone | Keith Getty and Stuart Townend; CCLI#3350395
Holy, Holy, Holy | Public Domain
Almighty God | David Leonard, Leslie Jordan, and Sandra McCracken; CCLI#7019312
Rock of Ages | Augustus M. Toplady and Thomas Hastings; Public Domain
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) | Austin Davis, Chandler Moore, and Cody Carnes; CCLI#7188203