Download: Readings and Song Lyrics for July 11
Reflection
“The new converts didn’t merely add Christianity to their already busy lives,
but devoted themselves to their Christian experience.”
Conrad Gempf
Call To Worship
We confess the supremacy of God in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Call to Worship
Adapted from the writing of William Mason
Brothers and Sisters, we gather today to proclaim with one voice that we live by faith; faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God, who has loved us and
given Himself for us! As believers we may call upon the precious name of Christ for each and every moment.
Christ is given to us —
to be enjoyed by us!
He is the bread of life —
we are to feed upon Him daily.
He is the water of life —
which our souls are to drink from constantly.
He is our righteousness —
we are to clothe ourselves in Him continually.
Father, may You fill us with your Spirit today that we may live by faith in Christ, our continual supply of grace, comfort and strength!
Amen!
Our Sung Call to Worship
The Solid Rock
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. (Chorus)
Chorus
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Verse 2
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil. (Chorus)
Verse 3
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay. (Chorus)
Verse 4
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. (Chorus)
Words by Edward Mote, Music by William Bradbury
Public Domain
Confession
We confess our need for mercy through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Confession
Adapted from the writings of J.R. Miller
Church, do not be deceived, the Lord hears all our grumblings.
Father, forgive us for the discontented words that we think and speak.
We complain about
the weather,
our circumstances,
the hardness of our lot,
our losses and disappointments.
We forget that when we complain about our lot in life, we are complaining about the One who ordains each and every event.
The Lord says that we will each give an account for every idle word that we speak.
Father, teach us ponder, confess, and turn away from the idle words from we spoke this past week.
Amen.
Time of silent confession.
Our Sung Confession
Poor Sinner Dejected with Fear
Verse 1
Poor sinner, dejected with fear,
Unbosom thy mind to the Lamb;
No wrath on His brow He does wear,
Nor will He poor mourners condemn;
His arm of omnipotent grace
Is able and willing to save;
A sweet and a permanent peace
He’ll freely and faithfully give.
Verse 2
Come just as thou art, with thy woe,
Fall down at the feet of the Lamb;
He will not, He cannot say, “Go,”
But surely will take out thy stain;
A fountain is opened for sin,
And thousands its virtues have proved
He’ll take thee, and plunge thee therein,
And wash thee from filth in His blood.
Verse 3
The soul that on Jesus relies,
He’ll never, no never deceive;
He freely and faithfully gives
More blessings than we can conceive;
Yea, down to old age He will keep,
Nor will He forsake us at last;
He knows and is known by His sheep;
They’re His, and He will hold them fast.
Words by William Gadsby
Music by Katy Bowser & Matthew Perryman Jones
© 2001 MPJ Music/Velveteen Songs
Assurance and Peace
We profess our assurance of salvation and peace in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Remember the Gospel & The Lord’s Supper
Reading based on John 17
Do not be discouraged. Jesus has prayed for us; that we may be one, as He is one with the Father and the Spirit. He has given us glory that we may be perfect in Him and that the world will know that He has been sent from the Father and that He loves all his chosen people.
Thanks be to God the Father who answered Jesus’ prayer!
Thanks be to Christ—our Prophet, Priest and King!
Thanks be to the Spirit who prays on our behalf!
Christ calls us to remember these things in a tangible way. His life was lived out in flesh and blood on a real earth in all the dirt and grime and sorrow and tears that accompanies each of our walks.
He took real bread, blessed it and broke it and gave it to His disciples. He took real wine, offered thanks, and gave it to them. He also invites us to share in His meal.
(Elements distributed)
This is Christ’s body, broken for you.
This is Christ’s body, broken for me.
Thanks be to Christ.
This is Christ’s blood, shed for you.
This is Christ’s blood, shed for me.
Thanks be to Christ.
Our Sung Profession of Assurance
To God Be the Glory
Verse 1
To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in. (Chorus)
Chorus
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.
Verse 2
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. (Chorus)
Verse 3
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our victory, when Jesus we see. (Chorus)
Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by William H. Doane
Public Domain
Thanksgiving and Petition
We Give Thanks in Prayer and Offer Petitions to God
We express our gratitude to God our Father for Christ’s work on the cross for us and bring our requests before him. In bringing our requests, we confess that we believe God truly is a good father, who cares about our needs and gives us what he knows is best.
We Give Thanks by Giving
We give financial offerings to support the work of the church because of our gratitude to God. By giving we confess we are trusting in God’s provision for us as well.
On the first Sunday of each month we have two offerings—one for the general fund and a second one for the benevolence ministry of our church.
You may give electronically at gabcames.org/giving/ or place your offering in the boxes at the back of the sanctuary or send a check in the mail.
Scripture Reading
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Sermon
Acts 2:42-47 – Devoted to the Gospel – Pastor Eric Schumacher
Sermon Discipleship Questions
1. What encouraged you?
2. What convicted you?
3. Is there anything in your life that needs to change?
Sending
Having heard and confessed the Gospel, we are sent into the world on mission in Christ, which we express in spoken word.
Blessing
May you go in God’s grace, continuing in your faith daily, breaking bread together with glad and
grateful hearts, praising God and having favor with all people. And may the Lord use you this week to add to His church those He is saving.
Next week’s scripture passage: Acts 3:1-26