Pastor Joel E. Wood

“Peaceful” Division v. Wholeness

Acts 15:36-41

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Acts+15%3A36-41

https://www.newlifelamesa.org/pages/worship-guide

CCLI License #390757

 

March 16, 2025

9:30a Service

 

Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit

 

GREETING & CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

People: Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

All: May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!

 

PRAYER OF ADORATION, ASSISTANCE, & BLESSING

 

Trinity Hymnal #580 “Lead On, O King Eternal”

Lead on, O King eternal,
the day of march has come;
henceforth in fields of conquest
thy tents shall be our home:
through days of preparation
thy grace has made us strong,
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal,
till sin's fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen of peace;
for not with swords loud clashing,
nor roll of stirring drums,
but deeds of love and mercy,
the heav'nly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal,
we follow, not with fears;
for gladness breaks like morning
where'er thy face appears;
thy cross is lifted o'er us;
we journey in its light:
the crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.

REFLECTION ON GOD’S LAW

Leader: Honor your father and your mother.

People: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Leader: You shall not murder.

People: Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, 

and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him

Leader: You shall not commit adultery.

People: Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent 

has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Leader: You shall not steal.

People: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  

Do your work quietly and earn your own living. 

Leader: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

People: Having put away falsehood, 

let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.

Leader: You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor's.

People: For the whole law is fulfilled in one word:  "You shall love your 

neighbor as yourself."

 

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF GRACE     Hebrews 10:12

Trinity Hymnal #468 “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”

My faith has found a resting place,
from guilt my soul is freed;
I trust the ever-living One,
his wounds for me shall plead.

 

Refrain:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
it is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.

 

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt;
a sinful soul I come to him,
he’ll never cast me out. [Refrain]

 

My heart is leaning on the Word,
the written Word of God:
salvation by my Savior’s name,
salvation thro' his blood. [Refrain]

 

My great Physician heals the sick,
the lost he came to save;
for me his precious blood he shed,
for me his life he gave. [Refrain]

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH  

Psalm 25:1-7  “To You I Lift My Soul”

To You I lift my soul;

LORD God, in You I trust.

O do not let me suffer shame;

And let my foes not boast.

Yes, those who wait on You

No shame will ever see;

Let shame be theirs who without cause

Behave with treachery.

 

Instruct me in Your paths;

LORD, make me know Your way.

Teach me and make me follow You,

That in Your truth I’ll stay;

Since You have been my God,

The One who rescues me,

For You I’m waiting all the day;

I wait expectantly.

Your tender mercies, LORD,

Your steadfast love recall,

For these are things that have endured

Throughout the ages all.

My youthful sins, my faults,

Do not bring these to mind;

O LORD, remember me in love,

For You are good and kind.

 

GOD’S WORD READ Acts 15:36-41

GOD’S WORD PREACHED “Peaceful” Division v. Wholeness 
by Pastor Joel E. Wood

 

Prayer of Application & The Lord’s Prayer

 

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

 

Song  “Behold the Lamb”

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,

Slain for us; and we remember

The promise made that all who come in faith

Find forgiveness at the cross.

So, we share in this Bread of Life,

And we drink of His sacrifice,

As a sign of our bonds of peace

 

The body of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,

Torn for you; eat and remember

The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life,

Paid the price to make us one.

So, we share in this Bread of Life,

And we drink of His sacrifice,

As a sign of our bonds of love

Around the table of the King.

The blood that cleanses ev’ry stain of sin,

Shed for you; drink and remember

He drained death's cup that all may enter in

To receive the life of God.

So, we share in this Bread of Life,

And we drink of His sacrifice,

As a sign of our bonds of grace

Around the table of the King.

And so, with thankfulness and faith we rise

To respond and to remember

Our call to follow in the steps of Christ

As His body here on earth.

As we share in His suffering,

We proclaim: Christ will come again!

And we'll join in the feast of heav’n

Around the table of the King.

 

Trinity Hymnal p. 845  “Apostles’ Creed” 

Minister: Christian, what do you believe? 

 

All:  I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. ‍He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 

 

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 “I Will Glory in My Redeemer”

I will glory in my Redeemer

Whose priceless blood has ransomed me.

Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails,

And hung Him on that judgment tree.

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who crushed the pow’r of sin and death;

My only Savior before the holy Judge;

The Lamb, Who is my righteousness,

The Lamb, Who is my righteousness.

I will glory in my Redeemer;

My life He bought, my love He owns.

I have no longings for another;

I'm satisfied in Him alone.

I will glory in my Redeemer,

His faithfulness my standing place;

Though foes are mighty and rush upon me,

My feet are firm, held by His grace,

My feet are firm, held by His grace.

 

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who carries me on eagle’s wings.

He crowns my life with loving kindness;

His triumph song I”ll ever sing.

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who waits for me at gates of gold;

And when He calls me it will be paradise;

His face forever to behold,

His face forever to behold.

 

Trinity Hymnal #731: “Doxology” 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below:

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

‍THE BENEDICTION

Postlude