You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March, 2008.
FINAL DRAFT
Team: Edwards, Zoo, Plybon, Clodfelter, Lis, Dougherty, Voss
Prelude (10:25)
Psalm 130 (New Tune)
Our Historic Faith: Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 13 (Questions 33 & 34)
Q 33. Why is he called God’s “only Son” when we also are God’s children?
A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God—adopted by grace through Christ.
Q 34. Why do you call him “our Lord”?
A. Because—not with gold or silver, but with his precious blood—he has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul to be his very own.
God is Calling Us to Worship
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God– that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
In Christ Alone
Welcome and Announcements
Worshiping God by Giving
Not What My Hands Have Done
Welcoming One Another (Children are dismissed to Children’s Church at this time.)
Laden with Guilt
Worshiping God by Hearing His Word: Judges 17-18 “Men without Chests”
Prayer of Confession
O Lord, you are our Father, and we are but earth and mire; You are our Creator, and we are the work of your hands; You are our shepherd, and we are your flock; You are our Redeemer, and we are the people you have bought back; You are our God, and we are your inheritance. Therefore, do not be angry against us, to correct us in your wrath. Do not recall our sin, to punish it, But chastise us gently in your kindness. Be mindful that your name is upon us, That we hear your mark and badge. Undertake the work you have already begun in us by your grace,That the whole earth may recognize that you are our God and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pardon for Sinners (“The Intercession of Christ” from The Belgic Confession)
Since the apostle for good reason wants us to get rid of this foolish fear- or rather, this unbelief- he says to us that Jesus Christ was “made like his brothers in all things,” that he might be a high priest who is merciful and faithful to purify the sins of the people. For since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted. And further, to encourage us more to approach him he says, “Since we have a high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has entered into heaven, we maintain our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to have compassion for our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in all things, just as we are, except for sin. Let us go then with confidence to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace, in order to be helped.” The apostle also says that we “have liberty to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus. Let us go, then, in the assurance of faith….”Likewise, “Christ’s priesthood is forever. By this he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him who always lives to intercede for them.” What more do we need? For Christ himself declares: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to my Father but by me.” Why should we seek another intercessor? Since it has pleased God to give us his Son as our Intercessor, let us not leave him for another- or rather seek, without ever finding. For when God gave him to us he knew well that we were sinners. Therefore, in following the command of Christ we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord’s Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen
Celebration of The Lord’s Supper
Deacon’s Offering
Psalm 42
God Sending Us with His Benediction
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week refers to the week which begins with Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday during which the church remembers the events and words spoken by Jesus twenty centuries ago.
Why participate in Holy Week services?
As I’ve celebrated Easter lately, it has grown increasingly difficult to capture all that Easter means during an hour and a half worship service on Easter Sunday. Emotionally, it feels like too much to take in: the anticipation at the meal on Thursday evening, the shock of the betrayal, denial, and abandonment, the devastation on Golgotha, the finality at the tomb on Friday, and the thunderstruck hope and joy on Sunday. This year we will remember the events of Holy Week by celebrating Palm (or Passion) Sunday, Holy (or Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday (Tenebrae), and Resurrection (or Easter) Sunday. Both Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday will be celebrated during our regular worship times. In addition, we will hold special services on Thursday and Friday evening from 7-8pm.
What are the services?
- Palm Sunday (10:30 am on March 16). Found in Matthew 21, Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem upon a donkey colt which in effect identified him as the promised Son of David. Recognizing this, some in the crowd spread palm branches in Jesus’ path while others laid their cloaks on road and the crowd ran ahead of Jesus shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
- Holy (Maundy) Thursday (7 pm on March 21). Sundown on Holy Thursday begins the Triduum (tree do ‘em) or “three days.” Holy Thursday is oftentimes referred to as Maundy which is taken from the Latin “mandatum” or “commandment.” After washing his disciples’ feet and instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).” On Holy Thursday, we will gather and recount Jesus’ last words to his disciples and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Holy Thursday concludes with recalling the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.
- Good Friday or Tenebrae (7 pm on March 22). Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows.” During the Good Friday service we will remember Jesus’ last words, his crucifixion, and death.
- Resurrection (Easter) Sunday (10:30 am on March 23). Resurrection Sunday remembers the truth that the tomb was empty because the Lord Jesus had conquered death by rising from dead. Jesus’ resurrection confirms for us that he is the Son of God, that he accomplished the work of saving his own, and that we too share in the hope of the resurrection and the promise of new life by our faith in him.
Childcare, as usual, is provided during our Sunday worship services. However, childcare is not provided for Holy Thursday or Good Friday service. Both Thursday’s and Friday’s services are quiet and more somber in their mood. Because of this somber mood, it may feel like too much of a challenge for parents to monitor young children. I want to encourage you to try it out. It has been my experience, that children pick up on the unfamiliar feel of the service and respond surprisingly well. How will they learn unless given opportunity? Not only is this a worship experience, but it is a teaching opportunity.
As you prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you may want to reflect on the following passages and hymns:
- Read John 12-21. These chapters recount the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
- Read through the following hymn lyrics. Teach the tunes to your children. “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “What Wondrous Love is This,” “Morning Sun,” “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” or “Up from the Grave He Arose.”
- On Palm Sunday: Read: Psalm 24, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 11, and John 19.
- On Holy Thursday: Read: Jeremiah 31:31f, Matthew 26, Mark14, Luke 22, John 13-17.
- On Good Friday: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18-19.
- On Resurrection Sunday: Matthew 27-28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, 1 Corinthians 15.
