SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Hymn Sing     Gray Psalter Hymnal

     # 430     We Sing the Mighty Power of God, vs 1, 3    

     #   23     The Lord, My Shepherd, Rules My Life, vs 1, 3, 5

     Insert     O Wondrous Love, vs 1, 2, 4

Call to Worship 

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Hymn     # 13     Immortal, Invisible          (Supplemental Hymnal)

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Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon

Psalter     Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45     (NRSVUE)          Steve Varys

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1O give thanks to the LORD; call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples.

2Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.

3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

4Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually.

5Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles and the judgments he has uttered,

6O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

37Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold, and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled.

38Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.

39He spread a cloud for a covering and fire to give light by night.

40They asked, and he brought quails and gave them food from heaven in abundance.

41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.

42For he remembered his holy promise and Abraham, his servant.

43So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.

44He gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples,

45that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!

Prayer for Illumination                     

New Testament Reading     Revelation 20:11-21:4

       11Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. 13And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done. 14Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire, 15and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

       21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

       “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.”

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.

Congregation: Thanks be to God for His Word.

Choral Anthem     My Keeper

Jesus is my keeper, a tower for my soul.

His blood, the captive's ransom, my debt is paid in full. 

I now am his possession, and in him gladly dwell. 

While sheltered in my Savior, all is rest, and all is well.

Chorus

My keeper will not slumber, my keeper will not sleep. 

Though evil should come near me, my soul he'll safely keep.

He seals me at the moment when faith in him I place.

He'll keep me his forever, he'll keep me by his grace.

When fear of separation or doubt assails my mind, 

When pull of strong temptation would lead me on behind,

I flee to Christ my Refuge, and find a hiding place. 

For he who keeps his children has rich supplies of grace. 

He'll keep my footsteps steady along the path he's made

From searing sun above me my way he'll gently shade.

His eyes are ever watchful to guard, and help and bless.

Through all my life he'll keep me, till my eternal rest.

Children’s Sermon

Hymn     # 504     Holy God, We Praise Your Name          (Gray Psalter Hymnal)

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Old Testament Reading     Daniel 12

       12 “At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.”

       5Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others appeared, one standing on this bank of the stream and one on the other. 6One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be until the end of these wonders?” 7The man clothed in linen, who was upstream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. And I heard him swear by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished. 8I heard but could not understand, so I said, “My lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11From the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the desolating sacrilege is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. 12Happy are those who persevere and attain the thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.”

Sermon     Pastor Andrew Winter