ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, August 2; Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 17)
Pastor: Hear us Lord, our pleas are just; listen to our cries!
People: Hear our prayers; let our vindication come from you.
Pastor: Though you test us and examine our hearts, you will find no planned evil.
People: Our steps hold to your paths, and we try not to stumble our feet.
Pastor: We call on you, Lord, for you answer. Turn your ear and hear our prayers!
People: Show us the wonders of your great love; give us refuge in your hands.
Pastor: Holy Lord, you save us from wickedness and we seek our comfort in you.
All: Lord, you keep us, and we find our vindication in you. We praise you and bless you, glorifying your name, and being satisfied in your likeness.
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy Lord, you keep us from evil. You save us from the dangers of our world. You hold our souls safe from harm. Continue to show us your love and teach us your way. Bless us in our worship this morning. Guide us, and open us to your will. For your blessings we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
* HYMN OF PRAISE “Thou Art Worthy”
(hummed – not sung)
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy, thou art worthy, O Lord;
To receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power;
For thou hast created, hast all things created , thou hast created all things;
And for thy pleasure they are created, for thou art worthy, O Lord.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(please stand, but remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: Holy Lord, we offer our confession to you. You gave us a paradise, a home in your midst, and the gift of your divine love. Yet we constantly seek to despoil your home and spurn your love. We put our own will above yours. Holy God, for our selfishness and indifference, we ask your forgiveness. Help us to do what is right and just and good, according to your will. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817 – to be hummed, not sung) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Romans 10:9-10)
All: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father Hymn #805 (hummed – not sung)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen, Amen.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW (John 13:34-35)
[Jesus said], “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung) Hymn #297
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “God of the Ages” (verses 1 & 3)
God of the ages, history’s Maker,
Planning our pathway, holding us fast,
Shaping in mercy all that concerns us:
Father, we praise you, Lord of the past.
God of tomorrow, strong Overcomer,
Princes of darkness own your command.
What then can harm us? We are your people,
Now and forever kept by your hand.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Nahum 1:7-15; 3:18-19
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “A Change of Pace“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
*APOSTLES CREED
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, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy and right it is, and our joyful duty
to give thanks to you at all times and in all places,
O Lord our Creator,
almighty and everlasting God!
You created heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty.
You have given us life and being,
and preserve us by your providence.
But you have shown us the fullness of your love
in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ,
the eternal Word, made flesh for us and for our salvation.
For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you
we praise and bless you, O God.
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven
we worship and adore your glorious name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
Most righteous God,
we remember in this Supper
the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ
for the sin of the whole world.
In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again,
we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices.
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died!
Christ is risen!
Christ will come again!
Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray,
that the bread which we break and the cup which we bless
may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
Grant that, being joined together in him,
we may attain to the unity of the faith
and grow up in all things into Christ our Lord.
And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf,
and these grapes from many hills into one cup,
grant, O Lord, that your whole Church
may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Brothers and sisters,
since the Lord has now fed us at his Table,
let us praise God’s holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits--
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him,
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord,
from this time forth forevermore. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD’S PRAYER
*CLOSING HYMN “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” (verses 1 & 2)
(hummed – not sung)
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
I have seen him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, August 2; Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 17)
Pastor: Hear us Lord, our pleas are just; listen to our cries!
People: Hear our prayers; let our vindication come from you.
Pastor: Though you test us and examine our hearts, you will find no planned evil.
People: Our steps hold to your paths, and we try not to stumble our feet.
Pastor: We call on you, Lord, for you answer. Turn your ear and hear our prayers!
People: Show us the wonders of your great love; give us refuge in your hands.
Pastor: Holy Lord, you save us from wickedness and we seek our comfort in you.
All: Lord, you keep us, and we find our vindication in you. We praise you and bless you, glorifying your name, and being satisfied in your likeness.
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Holy Lord, you keep us from evil. You save us from the dangers of our world. You hold our souls safe from harm. Continue to show us your love and teach us your way. Bless us in our worship this morning. Guide us, and open us to your will. For your blessings we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
* HYMN OF PRAISE “Thou Art Worthy”
(hummed – not sung)
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy, thou art worthy, O Lord;
To receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power;
For thou hast created, hast all things created , thou hast created all things;
And for thy pleasure they are created, for thou art worthy, O Lord.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(please stand, but remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: Holy Lord, we offer our confession to you. You gave us a paradise, a home in your midst, and the gift of your divine love. Yet we constantly seek to despoil your home and spurn your love. We put our own will above yours. Holy God, for our selfishness and indifference, we ask your forgiveness. Help us to do what is right and just and good, according to your will. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817 – to be hummed, not sung) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Romans 10:9-10)
All: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father Hymn #805 (hummed – not sung)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen, Amen.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW (John 13:34-35)
[Jesus said], “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung) Hymn #297
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “God of the Ages” (verses 1 & 3)
God of the ages, history’s Maker,
Planning our pathway, holding us fast,
Shaping in mercy all that concerns us:
Father, we praise you, Lord of the past.
God of tomorrow, strong Overcomer,
Princes of darkness own your command.
What then can harm us? We are your people,
Now and forever kept by your hand.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Nahum 1:7-15; 3:18-19
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “A Change of Pace“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
*APOSTLES CREED
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, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
- INVITATION
- COMMUNION PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy and right it is, and our joyful duty
to give thanks to you at all times and in all places,
O Lord our Creator,
almighty and everlasting God!
You created heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty.
You have given us life and being,
and preserve us by your providence.
But you have shown us the fullness of your love
in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ,
the eternal Word, made flesh for us and for our salvation.
For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you
we praise and bless you, O God.
With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven
we worship and adore your glorious name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
Most righteous God,
we remember in this Supper
the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ
for the sin of the whole world.
In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again,
we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices.
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died!
Christ is risen!
Christ will come again!
Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray,
that the bread which we break and the cup which we bless
may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
Grant that, being joined together in him,
we may attain to the unity of the faith
and grow up in all things into Christ our Lord.
And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf,
and these grapes from many hills into one cup,
grant, O Lord, that your whole Church
may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
- WORDS OF INSTITUTION
- CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
- PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Brothers and sisters,
since the Lord has now fed us at his Table,
let us praise God’s holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits--
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him,
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all,
and will also give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord,
from this time forth forevermore. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD’S PRAYER
*CLOSING HYMN “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” (verses 1 & 2)
(hummed – not sung)
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
I have seen him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.