May 25, 2025

*Call to Worship | Isaiah 59:17; 61:10 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

^{God invites and calls us into his presence to worship him.}

^59:17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate,

    and a helmet of salvation on his head;

he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,

    and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

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^61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

    my soul shall exult in my God,

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,

    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

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*Song of Adoration | What Wondrous Love Is This

^{We begin by responding with praise to God for who he is and for what he does.} 

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

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When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

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To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb I will sing.

To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;

While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;

While millions join the theme, I will sing.

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And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,

And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,

And through eternity I’ll sing on.

_{Music and Lyrics: American folk hymn}

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*Confession of Faith | Westminster Confession of Faith  |  Chapter 8.1 |  Of Christ the Mediator

^{With the church in history we confess a basic statement of what Christians believe.}     

It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.

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*Song of Confession | Abide With Me 

^{Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are simply prayers that are sung. We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.}

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, abide with me.

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Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;

And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,

Thou hast not left me, though I oft left Thee,

On to the close, Lord, abide with me.

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I need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

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I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness.

Where is thy sting death? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, abide with me.

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Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, Lord, abide with me.

_{Music and Lyrics: Henry Francis Lyte, ‎William Henry Monk}

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Confession of Sin | Psalm 130:1-6

^{We fight the temptation to hide our sin and instead acknowledge it openly to God, but we do so in light of the grace offered in Jesus.}

¹ Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!

²     O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

    to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

³ If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

    O Lord, who could stand?

⁴ But with you there is forgiveness,

    that you may be feared.

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

    and in his word I hope;

⁶ my soul waits for the Lord

    more than watchmen for the morning,

    more than watchmen for the morning.

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Assurance of Pardon | Psalm 130:7-8  | Rev. Blake Arnoult

^{The good news of the gospel is that we are forgiven in Jesus Christ. This assurance is based on God’s words of promise and it is therefore certain.}

⁷ O Israel, hope in the Lord!

    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

    and with him is plentiful redemption.

⁸ And he will redeem Israel

    from all his iniquities.

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*Song of Response | In Christ Alone

^{We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.}

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

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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

Till 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

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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

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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

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

_{Music and Lyrics: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend}

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Prayer of Thanksgiving 

^{We offer our gratitude to God in prayer in response to his gifts and blessings to his people and ask that he make us faithful managers of these gifts.}

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Song of Thanks | Isaiah 43

^{As we offer our prayers so we also offer up our thanks in song.}

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, 

And the waves will not overcome you. 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, 

I have called you by name, you are Mine.

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For I am the Lord your God (I am the Lord your God),

I am the Lord your God (I am)

The Holy One of Israel

Your Savior

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I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

I am the Lord (do not fear)

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When you walk through the fire you’ll not be burned, 

And the flames will not consume you. 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, 

I have called you by name, you are Mine.

Chorus

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I am the Lord

_{Music and Lyrics: Anonymous}

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Prayer for Christ’s Church

^{We lift up our requests to God knowing that he hears us when we pray.}

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*Reading of Scripture | Ephesians 6:10-24  | Rev. Blake Arnoult

^{God reveals himself and his work and speaks to us his people through his Word.}

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

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²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

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²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

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Pastor: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

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The Preaching of the Word | Rev. Blake Arnoult

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“The Priestly Armor of God”

Ephesians: The Gospel of the Church

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Pastoral Prayer

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Sacrament of Communion

Sacraments are visible signs of the invisible grace of God - what Christ does by his Holy Spirit within us. Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist), as the distribution of the elements of bread and wine, symbolizes a meal. Communion is a sign of fellowship. That sign signifies more than just the future heavenly fellowship that is to come. The outward sign signifies the inner reality that sinners already experience fellowship with God in the Spirit because of Jesus. Communion is not a meal for good people. It functions as a renewing seal to desperate sinners of that fellowship we have with our holy and gracious God.

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You will be invited to come forward. If you are not a Christian we encourage you to spend this time in reflection on what you’ve seen and heard in the worship. Children who have not received their first communion are welcome and encouraged to come forward with their families to witness their partaking. We invite children who are ready to make a public profession of faith in Christ to arrange a meeting with the elders, and thus become “communicants” at the Lord’s Table. 

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Pastor: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts!

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving and Words of Institution

Pastor: Let us proclaim the mystery of the faith: 

People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Hallelujah! 

Pastor: Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us. Hallelujah! 

People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. 

Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God.

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Please let an usher know if it is difficult for you to come forward. We would be happy to serve you at your seat. All communion bread is gluten-free. All communion wine is made from  grape juice.

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A communion prayer for those searching for the truth:

Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth and the life. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me the ability to follow you no matter what it might cost me. Give me an understanding for you that is coherent, convincing, and leads to the life that you promise. Amen.

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Communion Song | O Come to the Altar

^{We celebrate our communion in faith and song.}

Are you hurting and broken within

Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin

Jesus is calling

Have you come to the end of yourself

Do you thirst for a drink from the well

Jesus is calling

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O come to the altar

The Father’s arms are open wide

Forgiveness was bought with

The precious blood of Jesus Christ

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Leave behind your regrets and mistakes

Come today there’s no reason to wait

Jesus is calling

Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy

From the ashes a new life is born

Jesus is calling

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/ Chorus /

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/ Oh what a Savior

Isn’t He wonderful

Sing alleluia, Christ is risen

Bow down before Him

For He is Lord of all

Sing alleluia, Christ is risen /

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/ Chorus /

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Bear your cross as you wait for the crown

Tell the world of the treasure you’ve found

_{Music and Lyrics: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye}

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Departing Song | Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go

^{We begin to end in faith and song.}

O Love that will not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

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O light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

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O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

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O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

_{Lyrics & Music: Robbie Seay, Taylor Johnson, Albert Lister Peace, and George Matheson}

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*Benediction | Psalm 132:8-9 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

^{God sends us out with his blessing. A benediction is not a prayer. We don’t bow our heads. We lift them up and even lift up our hands to receive his blessing as we are sent out as participants in his mission to the city of man.}

⁸ Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,

    you and the ark of your might.

⁹ Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,

    and let your saints shout for joy.

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