*A word about Communion...
Communion is open to all true believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, including those from other
congregations that are a part of the true Church. We remember that access to the table is not a right
conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come to faith, repentance, and
love. Normally, we receive Communion using the method of intinction, that is we tear off a piece of bread
and dip it into the cup, rather than drinking directly from the cup.
(A gluten- and soy-free Communion option is available from the elders on the right side of the sanctuary.)
River Community Church
The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - February 5, 2017
GOD GATHERS HIS PEOPLE FOR WORSHIP
A note to Parents...
During 10:30am worship we do not have Sunday morning programs for children ages 3 and above. It is
our conviction, because of the promises of God, that our children are as much a part of the church as
everyone else, and that they should participate in worship along with their families as much as they are
able. We also understand that this may be a tall order for those families whose kids are not accustomed
to being in the service the whole time. Generally speaking, children tend to be a bit noisy and squirmy.
Please know that this is something we, as a church, expect, and that there is no reason to feel
embarrassed if your children have some trouble adjusting. We are all engaged in the blessed struggle of
training our children to participate in worship. You are not alone!
God welcomes your children into this worship service on His terms, and so do we!
Prelude
Songs in today’s service:
Song of Praise
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Glory to God Forever
Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee & Vicky Beeching; from the album “Hope Rising” by Fee
Holy, Holy, Holy hymn by Reginald Heber & John B. Dykes; arrangement by Kevin Smith
Before the Throne of God Above hymn by Charitie L. Bancroft, music by Vicki Cook; from the album
“Before the Throne” by Sojourn; additional music & arrangement by Kevin Smith
From All That Dwell Below the Skies (Holy Unmatchable) hymn by Isaac Watts; music & additional
words by Kevin Smith
I Will Sing of My Redeemer hymn by Philip Bliss, arrangement by Fernando Ortega & Rowland
Prichard; from the album “This Bright Hour” by Fernando Ortega
Sing His Love (Father, Long Before Creation) anonymous Chinese hymn c. 1952, translated 1953 by
Francis P. Jones, music and arrangement by Andrew Osenga; from the album “In the Company of
Angels II” by Caedmon’s Call
Welcome
Call to Worship
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Leader:! For by grace you have been saved through faith.
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And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.!
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Ephesians 2:8-10
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn of Worship
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Holy, Holy, Holy
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S PRESENCE
Call to Confession
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Leader:! But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
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us. Since therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall
we be saved by him from the wrath of God.!!
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Romans 5:8-9
Let us confess our sins together.
Prayer of Confession
River Community Church is a congregation of redeemed sinners
who exist to boldly declare and demonstrate
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A Congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
36367 Perkins Rd. Prairieville La 70769
(225) 744.4367 www.rivercommunity.org
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Leader:! O Changeless God,
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Under the conviction of the Spirit I learn that
the more I do, the worse I am,
the more I know, the less I know,
the more holiness I have, the more sinful I am,
the more I love, the more there is to love.
O wretched man that I am!
O Lord, I have a wild heart and cannot stand before thee;
I am like a bird before a man.
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How little I love thy truth and ways!
I neglect prayer, by thinking I have prayed enough and earnestly,
by knowing thou hast saved my soul.
Of all hypocrites, grant that I may not be an evangelical hypocrite,
who sins more safely because grace abounds,
who tells his lusts that Christ’s blood cleanseth them,
who reasons that God cannot cast him into hell, for his is saved,
who loves evangelical preaching, churches, Christians, but lives unholily.
My mind is a bucket without a bottom, with no spiritual understanding,
no desire for the Lord’s Day, ever learning but never reaching the truth,
always at the gospel-well but never holding water.
My conscience is without conviction or contrition, with nothing to repent of.
My will is without power of decision or resolution.
My heart is without affection, and full of leaks.
My memory has no retention, so I forget so easily the lessons learned,
and thy truths seep away.
Give me a broken heart that yet carries home the water of grace.
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Silent Confession !
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(from The Valley of Vision: A Collection
of Puritan Prayers and Devotionals)
Assurance of Pardon!
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Leader:! Hear the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
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The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
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He does not deal with us according to our sins,
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nor repay us according to our iniquities.
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For as the heavens are high above the earth,
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so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
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as far as the east is from the west,
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so far he removes our transgressions from us.
Leader:! As a father has compassion for his children,
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so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
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Psalm 103:8-13 NRSV
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Know that in Christ your sins are forgiven, and be at peace.
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In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
All:!
Thanks be to God!
Song of Assurance
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Before the Throne of God Above
Leader:! The peace of Christ be with you. !
People:! And also with you.
Greeting & Announcements
Offertory Hymn! !
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From All That Dwell Below the Skies (Holy Unmatchable)
WE RECEIVE GOD’S WORD FOR US
Reading of the Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 ESV)
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Reader: !The Word of the Lord.
People:! Thanks be to God!
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon!
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! Respecting
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“Respectable
Christians
Church
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Rev. Dennis Flach
WE CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION*
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Leader:! The Lord be with you.
People:! And also with you.
Leader:! Lift up your hearts.
People:! We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader:! Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:! It is right for us to give thanks and praise.
Leader prays.
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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name;
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Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven;
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Give us this day our daily bread,
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and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
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And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
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For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Leader:! Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!
All:!
Hallelujah!
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Communion is taken.
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Communion Hymn
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I Will Sing of My Redeemer
WE ARE SENT TO BE GOD’S PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
Passing of the Peace
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Prayer for the Offering
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Closing Song
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Sing His Love
Benediction
All scripture is from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.