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TRINITY (THIRD) PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
April 21, 2024
GATHERING AND PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
PRELUDE: Prelude in D Minor J.S. Bach
Readying Our Hearts (A time of silent prayer and reflection in preparation for worshiping God together.)
CALL TO WORSHIP (selections from Psalm 103)
Leader: Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
People: Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Leader: The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
People: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Leader: As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
People: The LORD’S love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
All: Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
INVOCATION
*OPENING SONG: #295 “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured: Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love: Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Unison prayer after a time of silent personal confession.)
O God, the Father of our Savior, Jesus the Christ, Your covenant love is boundless and Your mercy is inexhaustible. You, Almighty God, are the Ruler of all things, perfect in Your judgments, and forever to be worshipped and praised. And so, with humility of heart and an awareness of our sinfulness, we ask You to cleanse our mind, body, and spirit of those sinful thoughts and actions that prevent us from experiencing the fullness of Your goodness and glory. Cast out every evil thought, every base desire, all envy, pride, and self-centeredness, all wrath, anger, and lust, all that is contrary to Your holy will. Give us instead pure hearts and an ever-deepening love for You, we pray in Jesus name.
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: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-13 (Pew Bible pp. 1874-1875)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
ANTHEM: “Your Help Comes from the Lord” Frombach/Hayes
Choir
SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 4:16-22 (Pew Bible pp. 1752)
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring — not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed — the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON: “Having the Saving Faith of Our Father, Abraham”
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD THROUGH AFFIRMATION,
OFFERING, AND PRAYER
*SONG OF REFLECTION AND RESPONSE: #16 “The God of Abraham Praise”
The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;
the ancient of eternal days, the God of love!
The Lord, the great I Am, by earth and heaven confessed,
we bow before Your holy name, forever blest.
Your Spirit still flows free, high surging where it will;
in prophet’s word You spoke of old and You speak still.
Established is Your law, and changeless it shall stand,
deep writ upon the human heart, on sea or land.
You have eternal life implanted in the soul;
Your love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll.
We praise You, living God! We praise Your holy name;
who was, and is, and is to be, for e’er the same!
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:
“I Will Rise” Tomlin/Maher
Acoustic Worship Team
Verse 1
There’s a peace I’ve come to know,
Though my heart and flesh may fail.
There’s an anchor for my soul;
I can say it is well.
Pre-Chorus
Jesus has overcome,
And the grave is overwhelmed.
The victory is won,
He is risen from the dead.
Chorus
(And) I will rise when He calls my name,
No more sorrow no more pain.
I will rise on eagle’s wings,
Before my God fall on my knees.
And rise I will rise (I will rise).
Verse 2
There’s a day that’s drawing near,
When this darkness breaks to light,
And the shadows disappear,
And my faith shall be my eyes.
Bridge
And I hear the voice of many angels sing:
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart:
Worthy is the Lamb!
(Repeat)
Worthy is the Lamb!
(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: “All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises” Paul Baloche
Acoustic Worship Team
Chorus
You lived You died.
You said in three days
You would rise.
You did You’re alive!
You rule You reign.
You said You’re coming back again.
I know that You will,
And all the earth will sing Your praises.
Interlude
All the earth will sing Your praises!
Verse
You took,
You take our sins away, O God.
You give,
You gave Your life away for us.
You came down,
You saved us through the cross.
Our hearts are changed
Because of Your great love
Ending
All the earth will sing Your praises! (4X)
*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: “St. Anthony Chorale” Franz Joseph Haydn
MEMORY VERSE: Romans 4:20-21
“Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”
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.
- Lawn Mowing, volunteers are needed for lawn mowing during the spring and summer months. If you can help please speak with Andy Miller.
- 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.
- Cards for Troy FD Station 3: Throughout the month of April we are collecting notes of thanks and encouragement that will be delivered to Station 3 on Campbell Avenue. You can provide your own card or there are cards available in the narthex. Completed cards can be placed in the basket in the narthex.
- 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.