PROVIDENCE CHURCH

   APRIL 26, 2020

 

Welcome

Passing of the Peace: Though we are separated by distance our hearts are one in Christ. The peace of Christ be with you!

Doxology:

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below,

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 

Call to worship:   119: 1-8

Pastor: Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!

People: Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

Pastor:  You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

People: Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

Pastor: Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

People: I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.

ALL:  I will keep your statutes;  do not utterly forsake me!

 

Song of Praise:  How Great Thou Art        (Stuart Hine, 1949, Swedish folk tune)

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

consider all the worlds thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: how great thou art, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: how great thou art, how great thou art!

 

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: (Chorus)

 

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,

sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

he bled and died to take away my sin. (Chorus)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art. (Chorus)

 

Confession/Assurance:   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

 

Respond in Praise:   One Pure and Holy Passion (Mark Altrogge)

 

Give me one pure and holy passion, and give me one magnificent obsession;

Give me one glorious ambition for my life: to know and follow hard after you. (2x)

 

Chorus:

To know and follow hard after you,

to grow as your disciple in your truth.

This world is empty, pale and poor

compared to knowing you, my Lord;

Lead me on and I will run after you, lead me on and I will run after you.

 

Give me one pure and holy passion, and give me one magnificent obsession;

Give me one glorious ambition for my life: to know and follow hard after you. (Chorus x2)

 

****Switching to Speaker View at this time recommended

 

Scripture Reading:      Psalm 119: 9-16

How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.   I will delight in your statutes;  I will not forget your word.

This is the Word of the Lord.

 

REFLECTION:  A copy of the reflection is available upon request

 

​***Switching back to gallery view recommended

Musical Offering:    Natalie Brouwer

Come Near to Me

Come near to Me, bent with your burdens.

My Strength proves strongest when you’re weak.

Daddy, Companion, Redeemer am I;

I can’t forget you: your name’s here on my palms.

 

Give Me your fears, questions and answers.

Your angry tears are safe with Me.

Listen, I’m singing my hope-song for you:

beauty from ashes, desert pooling with rain.

 

Why do you run, thinking I’m angry?

My heart is breaking, loving you.

Look at the Real Me, these wounds, this kind heart;

all is forgiven; mercy drenches your soul.

 

I am your God; I will not fail you.

Tempests on earth blow you to Me.

For I am your heaven, and you, child, are mine;

whisper, “I trust you”; end up dancing with praise.

 

Prayers of the people: Pray for yourself, family and community, nation and the world.

 

Hymn of Thanksgiving:   

Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners (J.Wilbur Chapman, 1907; music Rowland Pritchard, 1830)

 Jesus, what a friend for sinners! Jesus, lover of my soul;

friends may fail me, foes assail me, he, my Savior, makes me whole.

 

Chorus:

Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving; He is with me to the end.

 

Jesus, what a strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in him;

Tempted, tried and sometimes failing, he, my strength, my victory wins. (Chorus)

 

Jesus, what a guide and keeper! While the tempest still is high,

Storms about me, night o’ertakes me; he, my pilot hears my cry. (Chorus)

 

Jesus, I do now receive him, more than all in him I find;

He hath granted me forgiveness; I am his, and he is mine. (Chorus)

 

Benediction: (The Lord speaks this blessing over you)

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

As He has in Christ Jesus,

And may you live and abide in His peace!