Online Worship

 ORDER OF WORSHIP

(This Online Worship will be updated each Sunday by the afternoon)

September 24, 2023

Due to Pastor Norwood’s illness, older videos are being used this week. Please keep Pastor and Sister Norwood in prayer as they tested positive for COVID.

CALL TO WORSHIP  AND INVOCATION  

 

HYMN OF PRAISE We're Marching to Zion - Jim Hill

 

THE WISDOM KEEPING        by Sister Trinity Norwood

THE RESPONSIVE READING * The Heidelberg Catechism  (Questions 110-111)

(A Summary of Biblical Teachings in a Question and Answer Format… scripture verses are provided for further study) 

Leader: What does God forbid in the eighth commandment

People: God forbids not only outright theft and robbery1 but also such wicked schemes and devices as false weights and measures, deceptive merchandising, counterfeit money, and usury;2 we must not defraud our neighbor in any way, whether by force or by show of right.3 In addition God forbids all greed4 and all abuse or squandering of His gifts.5 

1 Ex 22:1; 1 Cor 5:9, 10; 6:9, 10. 2 Deut 25:13-16; Ps 15:5; Prov 11:1; 12:22; Ezek 45:9-12; Lk 6:35. 3 Mic 6:9-11; Lk 3:14; Jas 5:1-6. 4 Lk 12:15; Eph 5:5. 5 Prov 21:20; 23:20, 21; Lk 16:10-13.
 

Leader: What does God require of you in this commandment

People: I must promote my neighbor's good wherever I can and may, deal with him as I would like others to deal with me, and work faithfully so that I may be able to give to those in need.1 

1 Is 58:5-10; Mt 7:12; Gal 6:9, 10; Eph 4:28.

 

PRAYER - A MEDITATION (modified from “A Disciple’s Renewal” at https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/a-disciples-renewal/   used with permission)

O MY SAVIOR, Help me. I am so slow to learn, so prone to forget, so weak to climb; I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights; I am pained by my graceless heart, my prayerless days, my poverty of love, my sloth in the heavenly race, my sullied conscience, my wasted hours, my unspent opportunities. I am blind while light shines around me: take the scales from my eyes, grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief. Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,   meditate on thee, gaze on thee, sit like Mary at thy feet, lean like John on thy breast, appeal like Peter to thy love, count like Paul all things dung. Give me increase and progress in grace     so that there may be more decision in my character, more vigor in my purposes, more elevation in my life, more fervor in my devotion, more constancy in my zeal. As I have a position in the world, keep me from making the world my position; May I never seek in the creature what can be found only in the Creator; Let not faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes into sight. Ride forth in me, thou King of kings and Lord of lords, that I may live victoriously, and in victory attain my end. Amen.

 

MINISTRY OF MUSIC   We’ll Understand It Better, By and By - Gaither Vocal Band

THE SERMON The Rev. Pastor J. R. Norwood, PhD  “Walking With God” 

Due to Pastor Norwood’s illness, older videos are being used this week. Please keep Pastor and Sister Norwood in prayer as they tested positive for COVID. We pray that Pastor Norwood will be able to continue his series “What Is Love” on October 1st.

 

Sermon Focal Text - Hebrews 11:5–6 (ESV); 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 

THE CALL TO REPENT AND BELIEVE  [CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE]

 

THE RENDERING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS [CLICK HERE TO DONATE]

 

CLOSING BLESSING (Ephesians 6:23-24) “Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” 

 

Awesome God (A Cappella) - David Wesley

This Week's Devotional Scripture Readings

September’s Theme: “God’s Saving Word - Wisdom”

Sunday: Proverbs 8:1-36    

Monday: Proverbs 9:1-18

Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Thursday: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Friday: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23            

Saturday: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Next Sunday’s Children’s Bible Memory Verse

Matthew 22:39