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TRINITY (THIRD) PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
May 5, 2024
GATHERING AND PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
PRELUDE: “Prelude in G Minor” J.S. Bach
Acoustic Worship Team
Readying Our Hearts (A time of silent prayer and reflection in preparation for worshiping God together.)
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 95:1-7)
Leader: Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
People: Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Leader: In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
People: The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
Leader: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
People: For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.
INVOCATION
*OPENING SONG: #112 “You Servants of God”
You servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful name;
The name all victorious of Jesus extol:
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
God rules in the heights, almighty to save;
Though hid from our sight, His presence we have;
The great congregation His triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.
“Salvation to God who sits on the throne!”
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son:
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
Then let us adore and give Him His right,
All glory and power, all wisdom and might:
All honor and blessing, with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing, and infinite love.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Unison prayer after a time of silent personal confession.)
O Lord, no day has passed that has not proved us guilty in Your sight: Prayers have been uttered from a prayer-less heart; Praise has been often praise-less sound; Our best services are filthy rags. Blessed Jesus, let us find rest and hope in Your cleansing blood. Though our sins rise to heaven, we know that Your merits soar above them; though unrighteousness weighs us down, Your righteousness exalts us to Your throne. All things in us call for our rejection, all things in You plead our acceptance. We appeal to Your throne of boundless grace. Grant us to hear Your voice assuring us: that by Your stripes we are healed; that You were bruised for our iniquities; that You have been made sin for us that we might be glorious in You; that our grievous, manifold sins are all forgiven — buried in the ocean of Your concealing blood. We are guilty, but pardoned; lost, but saved; wandering, but found; sinning, but cleansed. Keep us always clinging to Your cross. Flood us every moment with descending grace. Open to us the ever-flowing springs of divine knowledge and love – for our good and for Your glory. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (from Romans 5:8, Colossians 1:13-14, Romans 5:1)
Leader: God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And so I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
*All: (Gloria Patri)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 1:19-22 (Pew Bible p. 1832)
“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in [Christ], and through [Christ] to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through [Christ’s] blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
ANTHEM: “Spirit of Joy” Martin/Larson
Choir
SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 5:1-2 (Pew Bible pp. 1752)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON: “Justification’s Fruit: The Assurance of Peace, Access, and Glory in Christ”
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD THROUGH AFFIRMATION,
OFFERING, AND PRAYER
*SONG OF REFLECTION AND RESPONSE
“I Will Wait for You” (Psalm 130) Getty/Townend
Acoustic Worship Team
Verse 1
Out of the depths I cry to You
In darkest places I will call
Incline Your ear to me anew
And hear my cry for mercy Lord
Verse 2
Were You to count my sinful ways
How could I come before Your throne
Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze
I stand redeemed by grace alone
Chorus 1
I will wait for You, I will wait for You
On Your word I will rely
I will wait for You, surely wait for You
Till my soul is satisfied.
Verse 3
So put Your hope in God alone
Take courage in His power to save
Completely and forever won
By Christ emerging from the grave.
Verse 4
His steadfast love has made a way
And God Himself has paid the price
That all who trust in Him today
Find healing in His sacrifice.
Chorus 2
I will wait for You, I will wait for You
Through the storm and through the night
I will wait for You, surely wait for You
For Your love is my delight.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER AND OFFERING
Invitation
Affirmation of Faith: The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Partaking of the Elements and the Giving of Our Offering:
“Fountain of God” Todd Wright
Acoustic Worship Team
Verse 1
Come bring your sins to the Fountain of God
Come with your burdens and grief
Bury them deep in the waters of love
There you will find sweet relief
Verse 2
Come as you are to the fountain of God
Jesus is waiting for thee
Humble your heart and He will lift you up
Washed white as snow, you will be
Chorus
River of life, God’s healing stream
Come now and find that He will redeem
No matter your sin, all that you’ve done
There’s plenty room at the fountain of God
Verse 3
Sing this good news at the C Fountain of God
To those who would come and believe
Tell of the wonders that mercy has done
This joy and peace, we receive
Verse 4
Come and be saved at the Fountain of God
Listen to His gentle voice
Singing the song of a sinner set free
Hear all of Heaven rejoice
(For those joining with us in the Sanctuary this morning, you are invited, as you come forward to receive the Communion Elements, and as you feel so led, to place your offering in one of the plates up front. For those unable to be with us physically, you are encouraged to partake of the elements in your home at this time. Also, as you are able, we invite you to set aside your offering as an act of personal dedication at this time, either to be mailed in, dropped off at the church, or brought in when you are able to join us in worship. Let this time be one of receiving from and offering yourself up to our Lord — to the praise of His holy name.)
Prayer of Commitment
*Sung Response (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.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
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.
BRINGING OUR WORSHIP INTO OUR WORLD
*CLOSING SONG: #353 “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today. (Refrain)
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive? (Refrain)
*BENEDICTION (adapted 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 5:16)
Go forth to love and serve the Lord knowing that by God’s grace, through faith alone, in Christ alone, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. And walk in that light in our darkened world, that others might see your good deeds and give glory to our God in heaven. Amen.
*POSTLUDE: “Trompette in Dialogue” Louis Nicolas Clerambeault
MEMORY VERSE: Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- If you would like to help support the work of Hope 7 in our local community, we encourage you to drop off non-perishable food items, toiletries and other hygiene items either at Third Church, or at Hope 7 directly (M-F 9:30-11:45), or call Sue Laz (518-892-4042) to arrange for a pick-up.
- We are receiving new or gently used clothes for the Capital City Rescue Mission (CCRM). There is a box in the narthex for donations. You may bring your items to the church or call Sue Laz to arrange for a pick-up.
- Adult Bible Study meets on Sundays before worship (9:15-10:00am). We have recently started (still in Genesis) a survey of the Old Testament. If you ever wanted to see how the Old Testament flows together and get a grasp of the basic themes of each book of the Old Testament now is the time to join the Adult Sundal school gathering.
- Wednesday Evening Bible study (via Zoom) meets at 7:00pm. You can find and click on the link to that study on the church website under digital meetings.
- Spring Building Fund Offering: We will receive a special offering from Easter through Pentecost (May 19th) to benefit the Building Fund. The repairs/improvements to be done are repairing the front door overhang, replacing the lights in fellowship hall, and sealing the roof. Envelopes are available in the narthex to use for your gift or you can just note that your gift is for the Building Fund.
- Memorial Day Parade: The Outward Ministry committee is considering ways our church might have a presence at the North Greenbush Memorial Day Parade. If you would be interested in helping with this, please speak with Peter Laz.
- Pentecost Picnic following worship on May 28th. Meat and drinks provided but if able a side-dish or dessert would be appreciated. Also we encourage you to wear red for worship as red is the liturgical color for that day. (Fun fact: Pentecost is the only Sunday of the year on the traditional Protestant liturgical calendar that calls for the use of red paraments. But since I want to get my money’s worth for the red stole I purchased years ago we use it throughout the summer😊. Actually, we use red paraments throughout the summer to emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the ministry of the church – something early Protestant Reformers often overlooked (not in practice but in their writings) in their struggle to confront other abuses within the western church.)
- Community Garage Sale, June 1st from 9-2. If you would like to reserve a space, please speak with Andy Miller. If you would like to help with set-up, clean-up, or manning the food table or church information table, please speak with Sue Laz.