ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, October 4; Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 19)
Leader: The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands;
People: Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Leader: The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul,
People: The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, and make the simple wise.
Leader: The precepts of the Lord are right and give joy to the heart.
People: The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Leader: May these words of our mouths and these meditations of our hearts be pleasing in your sight,
All: For you, Lord, are our Rock and our Redeemer.
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Lord God, we are gathered together this morning for your worship. We praise you and bless your most holy name. Pour out your Spirit of love and trust and friendship on each of us. Help us to discern our purpose for your kingdom. And draw our hearts nearer to you. We ask for your blessing in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother – all who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
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: God of grace, we pray to you. The good news of your Gospel is for all people. Forgive us when we try to limit it to people who look, act, and think like ourselves. Your grace is for all people. Forgive us when we try to hoard it for ourselves, not trusting in your abundance. Your love is for all people. Forgive us when we ignore it, letting our hearts grow cold. Help us to see the world as you see it, filled with your love and mercy for all people. For the sake of 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 (John 10:27-28)
All: [Jesus answered them], “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them out of my hand.”
*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 (Micah 6:8)
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung)
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 “Be Thou My Vision”
Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art –
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word,
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Philippians 3:4b-14
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “Qualifications“
*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
Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
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 “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” (verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ the true, the only light,
Sun of righteousness arise, Triumph over shades of night:
Dayspring from on high, be near, Daystar in my heart appear!
Visit then this soul of mine, Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, radiancy divine, Scatter all my unbelief:
More and more yourself display, shining to the perfect day!
*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, October 4; Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 19)
Leader: The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands;
People: Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Leader: The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul,
People: The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, and make the simple wise.
Leader: The precepts of the Lord are right and give joy to the heart.
People: The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Leader: May these words of our mouths and these meditations of our hearts be pleasing in your sight,
All: For you, Lord, are our Rock and our Redeemer.
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Lord God, we are gathered together this morning for your worship. We praise you and bless your most holy name. Pour out your Spirit of love and trust and friendship on each of us. Help us to discern our purpose for your kingdom. And draw our hearts nearer to you. We ask for your blessing in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother – all who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
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: God of grace, we pray to you. The good news of your Gospel is for all people. Forgive us when we try to limit it to people who look, act, and think like ourselves. Your grace is for all people. Forgive us when we try to hoard it for ourselves, not trusting in your abundance. Your love is for all people. Forgive us when we ignore it, letting our hearts grow cold. Help us to see the world as you see it, filled with your love and mercy for all people. For the sake of 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 (John 10:27-28)
All: [Jesus answered them], “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them out of my hand.”
*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 (Micah 6:8)
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung)
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 “Be Thou My Vision”
Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art –
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word,
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Philippians 3:4b-14
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “Qualifications“
*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 HYMN – “Let Us Break Bread Together”
Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord have mercy on me.
- 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 “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” (verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ the true, the only light,
Sun of righteousness arise, Triumph over shades of night:
Dayspring from on high, be near, Daystar in my heart appear!
Visit then this soul of mine, Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, radiancy divine, Scatter all my unbelief:
More and more yourself display, shining to the perfect day!
*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.