Brethren We Have Met To Worship
Words adapted by Walt Harrah
©2007 Seedsower Music ASCAP

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God;
Let us pray in faith believing, yielding to his precious word.
All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;
Oh to taste that holy manna, may it here by faith abound.

How we need a word from heaven and the grace to heed it well;
Telling us the Gospel story warning us of death and hell.
Spirit give us ears to listen, loving truth and hating sin;
Turning from what holds us captive work a holiness within.

Thank you for the holy Scriptures used of God to make us wise;
Teaching shaping always leading onward to that heav’nly prize.
Thank you for the Word incarnate Christ in us, our guarantee;
Of an everlasting glory where with him we’ll always be.

Opening Prayer

Father, this song has just verbalized what we long to happen this morning. We want to see your word as not just true, but precious. And it will be in vain, Holy Spirit, unless you help us. We need a word from heaven, and not just our own common sense, and then the desire to heed that word. We need transforming, and not just to be spit-polished. The Scriptures, all 66 books, are useful to us, and may we submit to your voice, and to the word of Christ, who dwells in us through the Spirit. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Let’s let the scripture remind us of its value to us, from Psalm 19, by reading these words responsively:

PSALM 19

LEADER:
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.

CONGREGATION:
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

LEADER:
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.

CONGREGATION:
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

LEADER:
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.

CONGREGATION:
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

LEADER:
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;

CONGREGATION:
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

LEADER:
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

CONGREGATION:
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

LEADER:
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

CONGREGATION:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Thy Word
Words by Amy Grant; Music by Michael W. Smith
© 1984 Meadowgreen Music Company

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way
Still you're there right beside me
And nothing will I fear, as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
I will not forget, Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide and hold me to your side
I will love you to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

“The Word of God is like God's world: it is all interesting and all wonderful, but there are places to which we go often in thought and affection if not in actual visits: beauty spots of which we never tire, and sacred places of hallowed association. So there are pages of the Bible that wear thin with use, and some that are stained with tears.”
– Samuel Chadwick

ASK CONGREGATION TO SHARE FAVORITE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE

PSALM 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Words and Music by Martin Luther; chorus by Tommy Walker
This Arr. © 1997 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Songs

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right man on our side the man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be, Christ Jesus it is He
Lord Sabaoth His name from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

And though this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us we will not fear
For God hath willed, His truth to triumph through us
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

A mighty fortress, a mighty fortress is our God
A mighty fortress, a mighty fortress is our God

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever

Offering

Offertory:

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

Sermon

The Lord’s Supper

[instrumental music played or congregational singing]

The Mystery of the Faith

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God's love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah all I have is Christ
Hallelujah Jesus is my life

Now Lord I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
O Father use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Hallelujah all I have is Christ
Hallelujah Jesus is my life

Benediction

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16–17