God Speaks!
(Service #4)

PREPARING/THINKING ABOUT IT:

Read Compass article #4: "God's Word"
Read "The Drafting Table" (#4)

OPENING:
We come longing to hear God's Word and know his ways. Bow down and listen to his voice.

"My Heart is Quiet" by Bruce L. Johnson (©1992,1995 Bruce L. Johnson)
[based on Psalm 131]
"O How I Love Thy Law" by Gerrit Gustafson (©1990 Integrity's Hosanna! Music) Integrity Hosanna! Bk 5:422
"Faithful and Just" by Don Moen (©1988 Integrity's Hosanna! Music) Integrity Hosanna! Bk 3:204

Call to Worship: "Send forth your light and your truth...." (Psalm 43:3)

Let us join the throng coming to worship the great King, and to hear his Word. (Isaiah 2:3) All creation speaks of him, and invites us to praise him.
"The Heavens Tell Your Wondrous Ways" by Bruce L. Johnson (©1992 Bruce L. Johnson) [based on Psalm 19]

Reading: God's powerful Word: Psalm 33:1-11
(OR -His powerful Voice Psalm 29 )

Confession & Repentance:
God came in thunder and smoke and spoke these words:

Exodus 20:1-17

But we have often failed to hear his voice.

Psalm 25:4-9 (Unison)

 

Celebration : Hebrews 1:1-2 , John 1:1-2 God speaks a greater Word, through his Son, "the Word made flesh". Hear HIS mighty word from the mountain. He cries out, "It is finished!" For I have taken away your sins which the Law could not.

"Hark! The Voice of Love and Mercy"

Now the One who created all things by his powerful word, has spoken to raise those who were dead--to sing his praise! (2 Cor 4:6) John 5:24-25

"O For a Thousand Tongues"
"The Earth Shakes"(at the sound of his voice) by Chris Christensen ( ©1988 Integrity's Hosanna! Music) Book 5:433   

**other songs [about his mighty Word and power to save]**

[And so, to rebels, who ignored his Word and wandered far from his ways, God has spoken "Peace"! (Isaiah 57:19 , Ephesians 2:13-14) ]

 

Now God has begun to teach us--sinners!-- to walk in his ways, and to delight in his Word.

**Readings by several readers from Psalm 119**
"The Law of the Lord is Perfect " (Ps 19:7-10), music by Joanne Roberts Graham (© 1969 Communique Music/Adm. by Copyright Mgt, Inc.) Integrity Hosanna! Bk 5:437

"Thy Word" by Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith (©1984 Meadowgreen Music, Co.) Integrity Hosanna! Bk 3:258
**Unison: Psalm 119:169-176**  

 

Offering:   Psalm 107:20-22

Prayers (Intercession) [add specifics]

• let your Word expose the thoughts of our hearts(Hebrews 4:12)
• write your law on our hearts; give us hearts to hear you and delight in your Word (Book of Common Prayer: Collect for Proper 28)
• let your promises refresh the weary
• speak tenderly those who grieve
• strengthen those who declare your Word: to your people, to those who have not heard in every corner of the earth... that those who hear may accept it with joy and follow

Before Sermon:

"Break Thou the Bread of Life"

After Sermon:

"O Word of God Incarnate"

 

Sermon:  The Place Of Preaching In Worship (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5)   (John Piper)

Communion:   In the breaking of the bread, God seals his Word to us with a sign. . . He calls to us, "Listen to me, and eat what is good!" (Isaiah 55:2) Come to him who has the words of life!( John 6:63,68 )

"I Will Come to You" by Gerrit Gustafson (© 1990 Integrity's Hosanna! Music) Integrity Hosanna! Bk 5:405
"Bread of the World" [alternate tune: Wayfaring Stranger (no repeat)]

 

Closing: Our Hope--God's Glory:

God will do what he has said. He stands behind his Word, and will fulfill his good purposes for his people (Isaiah 55:10-13).

Benediction/Blessing:    Acts 20:32 .