A Congregation of the Reformed Church in America
Our Life, Ministry, and Mission: To Have Hearts Centered on Christ and Hearts Open to our Neighbors
August 17, 2025 10:00 AM
Our Approach to God
Prelude “Day by Day” -Hymn #437
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Opening Hymn (stay seated) “Beautiful Savior” -Hymn #17
Children’s Message
*Call to Worship
The earth is the Lord’s, for he made it:
Come, let us adore him.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
Come, let us adore him.
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting:
Come, let us adore him.
Lord, open our lips.
And our mouths shall proclaim your praise.
*Hymn of Praise “You, O Lord, are a Shield About Me” -Hymn #382
Call to Confession -Psalm 51:10-12
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
People of God, Hear the Good News of the Gospel! By the love of God, by the blood of Christ, by the power of the Spirit, your sins are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
Guide for Grateful Living -Psalm 51:13
Monthly Mission GREECE ECUMENICAL FOOD SHELF
Guest Speaker, Kay Cooper
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” -Hymn #369
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
(One of four standards of belief in the Reformed Church in America)
Q&A 32
- But why are you called a Christian?
- Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name, to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil n this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for eternity.
The Word of God in Proclamation
Prayer of Inspiration
Scripture Hebrews 11:29-12:3 (NIV, Pew Bible Pages 1716-1717)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “FOCUS ON FAITH—Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith”
Prayer of Application
Our Response to God
*Hymn of Response “Blessed Assurance: Jesus is Mine” -Hymn #363
*Profession of Faith The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made: Of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
*Closing Hymn “How Great Thou Art” -Hymn #553
*Benediction
*Postlude “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” -Hymn #441
Prayer Leader is available after the service, by the front door of the Sanctuary, to pray for your needs.