Service for August 17, 2025

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Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship

Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Revelation 4:6-11

Hymn # 100 Holy, Holy, Holy!

1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,

only thou art holy; there is none beside thee

perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.

4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Call To Confession

Our Lord Jesus says, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ And also, ‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us... If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Let us, therefore, confess ours sins to the Lord, saying together:

1 John 1:8 (NKJV)

Confession of Sins

Almighty and Gracious Father, we confess to you that we have sinned by not loving you with our whole heart and by not loving our neighbor as ourselves. Our faith is weak, and we easily give in to doubt. Forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness in thought, word and deed. For we ask this in the name of your Son, who is our sure Redeemer and our Savior. Amen.

Word of Assurance

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, our Gracious Heavenly Father has forgiven us our sins according to His word that "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:13–14

Doxology # 731

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heav'nly host;

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Scripture Lesson:

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Sermon

Hymn # 538 More about Jesus Would I Know

1 More about Jesus would I know,

more of his grace to others show;

more of his saving fullness see,

more of his love who died for me.

Refrain:

More, more about Jesus,

more, more about Jesus,

more of his saving fullness see,

more of his love who died for me.

2 More about Jesus let me learn,

more of his holy will discern;

Spirit of God, my teacher be,

showing the things of Christ to me. [Refrain]

3 More about Jesus in his Word,

holding communion with my Lord;

hearing his voice in ev'ry line,

making each faithful saying mine. [Refrain]

4 More about Jesus on his throne,

riches in glory all his own;

more of his kingdom's sure increase;

more of his coming, Prince of Peace. [Refrain]

Prayer of the Church with the Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray together as Jesus taught us:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Hymn # 69 Thy God Reigneth

1 Trembling soul, beset by fears,

"Thy God reigneth!"

Look above and dry thy tears:

"Thy God reigneth!"

Though thy foes with pow'r assail,

naught against thee shall prevail;

trust in him - he'll never fail:

"Thy God reigneth, thy God reigneth!"

2 Sinful soul, thy debt is paid;

"Thy God reigneth!"

On the Lord thy sins were laid;

"Thy God reigneth!"

On the cross of Calvary,

Jesus shed his blood for thee,

from all sin to set thee free:

"Thy God reigneth, thy God reigneth!"

3 Seeking soul, to Jesus turn;

"Thy God reigneth!"

None that seek him will he spurn;

"Thy God reigneth!"

Wand'ring sheep the Shepherd seeks,

and when found he ever keeps,

for "he slumbers not nor sleeps":

"Thy God reigneth, thy God reigneth!"

4 Join, ye saints, the truth proclaim,

"Thy God reigneth!"

Shout it forth with glad acclaim,

"Thy God reigneth!"

Zion, wake! the morn is nigh,

see it break from yonder sky;

loud and clear the watchmen cry:

"Thy God reigneth, thy God reigneth!"

5 Church of Christ, awake, awake!

"Thy God reigneth!"

Forward, then, fresh courage take:

"Thy God reigneth!"

Soon, descending from his throne,

he shall claim thee for his own;

sin shall then be overthrown:

"Thy God reigneth, thy God reigneth!"

Benediction