We welcome all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We invite you to join us in responding to our holy and gracious God through corporate worship.  Pray with us that our offering of praise will be a pleasing aroma to God (Genesis 8:21), will renew us in whole-hearted loyalty to Him (Romans 12:1), and will transform us into the likeness of Christ “with ever-increasing glory.”  (II Corinthians 3:18).

 

ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

May 18^th, 2003

 

PREPARATION

   Singing

         Overview of Worship

 

GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP

 

*Call to Worship – Remembering our Creator and Covenant God

 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”

 

He spoke, forming and filling the heavens and earth in six days, revealing His glory and wisdom

 

He made the man and the woman in His Image, commanding them to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it”

 

The good and powerful Creator then rested, enjoying His handiwork.  He  also placed the man and the woman in the Garden, a Garden in which they knew communion with, and service to Him.  From this Garden would flow heavenly blessings and glory to the world.

 

But the man and woman chose the path of rebellion and human independence incurring judgment and separation from God for themselves and their posterity.

 

But God graciously committed to a war through which He would restore creation through a blessed covenant seed.

 

Sin spread and worsened until God graciously destroyed the world in the days of Noah.

 

But He had preserved a faithful line and made a covenant with Noah through which He would continue His war in establishing a faithful seed for fruitfulness and godly dominion.

 

As the nations developed from Noah and his sons, sin continued as men pursued arrogance and fleshly salvation, culminating in the wicked civilization that built the Tower in Babel.

 

But God once again graciously judged man’s foolish attempts to pursue fruitfulness and dominion apart from Him.

 

In contrast to this kingdom of man, God’s covenant seed would lead to Abram, whom God would call, saying,  "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

 

God, who alone is the Creator and who alone can establish and keep covenant, began shaping Abram’s character in faith, obedience, and submission.  He and his seed would be the means through which God would build a holy civilization, reclaiming the heavens and earth from the serpent. 

 

This seed, kept in God’s covenant mercy, would lead to the Seed, Jesus Christ, through whom God’s call to Adam, His promises to Abraham, and the destiny of Israel, would find their “yes.”  In Him Satan is defeated, creation is being restored, and the covenant people are made holy and faithful and able to dwell with God in His Garden.

 

*Response

 

      What glory!

 

      “God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory”

 

  Prayer

 

We rejoice in all that You have taught us about creation, about history, about redemption, and about our place in it.  We struggle to grow in understanding, and above all, we struggle to grow in faith and action.  But we know that this too comes from You.  Please help us and our children grow in faith today as we seek to honor You in this sacrifice of worship.

 

  Offering

 

 

GOD TEACHES US

 

*God’s call to hear His word – Genesis 12:4

 

So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him

 

*Response (hands raised in adoration and submission) -

 

Give us quick and thorough obedience like our Father Abraham

 

*Scripture Reading

 

*Prayer for Illumination

 

  Sermon – “Genesis 17:  Introduction”

 

  Prayer

 

 

GOD RENEWS US

 

  God’s Invitation – Genesis 14:18-20

 

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.

And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.

 

  Confession of Faith –

 

Jesus, the greatest priest of God Most High and the final King of Salem, offers us bread and wine.  He is the One who has delivered us from our enemies. 

 

Jesus, the Seed of Abraham, is the One anointed by God, Possessor of heaven and earth, to fulfill the covenant and reveal the full measure of God’s faithfulness to His promises.

 

Jesus, who was circumcised on the eighth day, is the One who pours out the Spirit to give us circumcised hearts and cleanses and transforms us for heavenly service on earth.

 

  Distribution of the Bread and the Cup *

 

*(We partake of the bread and the cup corporately; wine is the element in the cup, but grape juice is provided in the center and middle sections of each tray.  We ask that those not under the oversight of, or in good standing with, a Bible-believing church,  and children who have not been examined by a church governing body for their profession of faith in Christ, refrain from partaking.)

 

*Psalm 47

 

Clap your hands, all you nations;

shout to God with cries of triumph.

How awesome is the Lord Most High,

the great King over all the earth!

He subdued nations under us,

the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.

God has ascended amid shouts of joy,

the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.

Sing praises to God, sing praises;

sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is the King of all the earth;

sing to him a psalm of praise.

God reigns over the nations;

God is seated on his holy throne.

The nobles of the nations assemble

as the people of the God of Abraham,

for the kings of the earth belong to God;

he is greatly exalted.

 

   “Nations, Clap Your Hands”

 

GOD SENDS US

 

*Benediction –  Acts 3:24-26

 

*Response –

 

Our God is faithful!

 

 

 

 

For your information:  These materials are available on the table outside the French doors in the back -

·         “Introduction to Redeemer Presbyterian” (an overview of our commitments)

·         `“Understanding the Lord’s Supper”

 

Redeemer notes . . . May 25, 2003

 

TODAY

·         9:30-11:00        Worship – A nursery is available for children up to three years old although they are welcome in the service.  

·         11:00-11:30  Refreshments and Fellowship – Parents, please supervise your children

·         11:30-12:15  Sunday School – We will meet in the worship area and have a lesson on a character quality as well as a short discussion related to the sermon.

 

Nursery – Worship – Gradys; SS  - Sorrells

Ushers (Head Usher in Bold print) – Tom M, Joel C, Mark H, Andrew Y, Alt – Steve E

 

THIS WEEK

·         Monday – Elders’ meeting – 8:00 p.m.

 

NEXT SUNDAY (June 1^st)

·         Nursery  - Worship – Vicki, Lauren B; Scott W; SS - Yorks

·         Head Usher  - Ron C

·         Communion set-up – Bricker

·         Greeters – S McDonalds

 

LOOKING AHEAD

 

GENERAL INFORMATION / HOUSEHOLD MINISTRY

·         HELP WITH FELLOWSHIP TIME – We need another 3-4 folks to help out with fellowship time refreshments.  If we can get the roster up to 8 or so families, it will make it easy for everyone.  Please contact Mark or Shelby Hundscheid (830-5568) is you can help or want more information.

·         To request a copy of a sermon tape please contact Sydney and Vicky Bush at
837-5828 or e-mail Sydney at:  Sydney_Bush@Mentor.com.

          

 

 

MAY 25, 2003

 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

CHURCH LOCATION

             __________  9580 Madison Blvd, Suite 6___________

  PHONE NUMBER

                                               461-6012 ____­­_______________

                        WEB SITE   

                      ____________ www.redeemerpca.org______________

 

·         9:30-12:30        Worship (includes Communion Feast) – A nursery is available for children up to three years old although they are welcome in the service.  

 

 

 

·         11:30-12:15  Sunday School – We will meet in the worship area and have a lesson on a character quality as well as a short discussion related to the sermon.