Pastor Joel E. Wood
“Presbyterianism 101: A Multitude of Counselors”
Acts 15:1-35
https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Acts+15%3A1-35
https://www.newlifelamesa.org/pages/worship-guide
CCLI License #390757
February 9, 2025
9:30a Service
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit
GREETING & CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
People: Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.
Leader: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
PRAYER OF ADORATION, ASSISTANCE, & BLESSING
Trinity Hymnal #455 “And Can It Be that I Should Gain”
And can it be that I should gain
an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Refrain:
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis myst'ry all! Th'Immortal dies:
who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds inquire no more. [Refrain]
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
humbled himself (so great his love!)
and bled for all his chosen race!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for, O my God, it found out me! [Refrain]
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth, and followed thee. [Refrain]
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th'eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own. [Refrain]
REFLECTION ON GOD’S LAW
Leader: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
People: This is the great and first commandment.
Leader: God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me."
People: For although there may be so-called "gods" in heaven or on earth…yet for us there is one God.
Leader: You shall not make for yourself an idol.
People: What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
Leader: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
People: Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Leader: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
People: There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Trinity Hymnal #672 “Trust and Obey”
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his Word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
not a cloud in the skies,
but his smile quickly drives it away;
not a doubt or a fear,
not a sigh nor a tear,
can abide while we trust and obey. (Refrain)
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
and the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we will walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go,
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Elder M. Ewing
Psalm 148 “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord’s Name”
Hallelujah! Praise the LORD’s name
From the heavens praise His name.
In the heights above, O praise Him,
All His angels praise proclaim.
All His hosts together praise Him.
Praise Him, sun and moon on high.
Praise Him, stars; praise Him, O heavens.
Praise Him, waters in the sky.
Let them praise the Name, the LORD’s name,
They were made at His command.
And, by His decree established,
They for evermore will stand.
From the earth, O praise the LORD’s name,
All you deeps, sea creatures all,
Fire and hail and snow and vapors,
Stormy winds that heed His call.
All you hills and lofty mountains,
Fruitful trees and cedars high,
Creeping things, wild beasts, and cattle,
Birds that in the heavens fly,
Kings of earth and all its peoples,
Princes, and its judges all,
Boys and girls, young men and women,
Older ones and children small.
Let them praises give the LORD’s name,
For His name alone is high;
And His glory is exalted
Far above the earth and sky.
He a horn raised for His people,
By His saints in praise adored;
They are Israel His people,
Near to Him. O praise the LORD!
GOD’S WORD READ Acts 15:1-35
GOD’S WORD PREACHED “Presbyterianism 101: A Multitude of Counselors”
Pastor Joel E. Wood
Prayer Of Application & The Lord’s Prayer
Trinity Hymnal #157 “None Other Lamb, None Other Name”
None other Lamb, none other name,
none other hope in heav'n or earth or sea,
none other hiding place from guilt and shame,
none beside thee!
My faith burns low, my hope burns low;
only my heart's desire cries out in me
by the deep thunder of its want and woe,
cries out to thee.
Lord, thou art Life, though I be dead;
love's fire thou art, however cold I be:
nor heav'n have I, nor place to lay my head,
nor home, but thee.
Trinity Hymnal p. 845 “Apostles’ Creed”
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & WARNING
Minister: The Lord be with you;
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts;
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God;
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
COMMUNION PRAYER
Approach the Table for the Lord’s Supper
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Song “Come unto Jesus”
Come unto Jesus all you who are weary.
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here, bring your wounded hearts, broken and needy.
Come unto Jesus, mighty to heal.
Joy of the comfortless, Light for the straying,
Hope of the penitent, Peace in our strife.
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying
“My yoke is easy my burden is light.”
Chorus:
Come unto Jesus.
Come unto Jesus.
Lay down your burdens, He is enough.
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love.
Come, taste the Bread of Life, broken for sinners.
Drink from the cup of His promise made sure.
Feast at His table as sons and as daughters.
Grace overflowing is yours evermore.
Come unto Jesus.
Come unto Jesus.
Lay down your burdens, He is enough.
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love.
Come, now and follow Him, this life forsaking.
All that was gain, count as nothing but loss.
Trade all this world for His kingdom unfading.
Come unto Jesus, take up your cross.
Come unto Jesus, take up your cross.
Life everlasting He offers to us.
Come unto Jesus.
Come unto Jesus.
Lay down your burdens, He is enough.
Come unto Jesus.
Come unto Jesus.
Lay down your burdens, He is enough.
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love.
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love.
Trinity Hymnal #731: “Doxology”
THE BENEDICTION
Postlude
