Sunday, April 5, 2009

He is merciful

I have decided, from time to time, to share the Sabbath worship service from my church. This is the service we used yesterday, followed by a sermon which is not included here. The hymns are linked to CyberHymnal — when the words or tune differ from those we used, I've printed the words and linked to the tune. The Scriptures can be found by holding the cursor over the reference.

Worship Theme:
“We worship God because He is Merciful”

Meditation on Holy Scripture:
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
And passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because he delights in steadfast love.

Micah 7:18 (ESV)

I. His mercies give us life.
Pulpit Readings: Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Nehemiah 9:30-31

Hymn:“Awake, My Soul, in Joyful Lays”
Awake, my soul, in joyful lays,
And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song from me -
His lovingkindness, O how free!

He saw me ruined in the fall,
Yet loved me notwithstanding all;
He saved me from my lost estate -
His lovingkindness, O how great!

Though numerous hosts of mighty foes,
Though earth and hell my way oppose,
He safely leads my soul along -
His lovingkindness, O how strong!

When trouble, like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud,
He near my soul has always stood -
His lovingkindness, O how good!
Responsive Reading: Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not 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,
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will He keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are 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 shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
He flourishes like a flower of the field;
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Unison: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Hymn:“Praise to the Lord, The Almighty”
II. His mercies guide our lives.
Pulpit Reading: Jeremiah 3:12-13

Hymn: “We praise Thee, O God, for the Son”

Unison Reading: Titus 3:3-8
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Hymn: “God of Grace and God of Glory”
III. His mercy sustains us.
Individual Readings: Luke 1:50; Lamentations 3:31-33

Hymn: “Sometimes a Light Surprises”

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing but He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe His people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens, no creature but is fed;
And He Who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

Individual Reading: Psalm 106:1

Hymn: “God Hath Not Promised Skies Always Blue”

Individual Readings: Psalm 89:1-2

Hymn: “God is Love, His Mercy Brightens”

Individual Readings: Psalm 103:17

Hymn: “Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean”
Prayer

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