PUBLIC WORSHIP • SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

T H E WORD

CALL TO WORSHIP • Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

“Resurrection is no longer a mere doctrine: it has a living face and a name. Jesus is himself the presence of the life which is God’s gift beyond death. To be bound to Jesus by faith is to share already now the life which is beyond death. To one so bound, death is the gateway to life and life is no longer bounded by death because it is the life which is raised out of death.”

Lesslie Newbigin

“A Trinitarian eschatological vision of communion with God will see the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and return of the Christ as the very point of eschatology—the distinctly Christian hope in God. This eschatological hope is driven not by abstract reflections about time, nor by doomsday cultural observations, but by looking to the person and work of the Savior, who was, is, and is to come… Jesus is the eschatological man, the hope of the world, and in him we see a true eschatological vision of reality.”

Kelly Kapic

Amazing Grace Text: John Newton • Music: American Melody • Public Domain

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, his Word my hope secures; he will my Shield and Portion be, as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Let us pray…

CALL TO CONFESSION OF SIN • Hosea 6:1

Come, let us return to the LORD, for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

CONFESSION OF SIN Lord Jesus, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, and of neglect to seek you in my daily life. My sins and shortcomings present me with a list of accusations, but I thank you that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Deliver me from every evil habit, every interest of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of your grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in you. Amen.

(Silent confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS • Hosea 14:4 “I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.”

May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you!

OFFERING • 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! Praise him, all creatures here below! Praise him above, ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING • 1 Kings 17:17-24 After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” 19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” 22 And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” 24 And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray…

Jesus, remember us when you come in your kingdom,

Have mercy upon us and hear our prayers.

For all who carry out your ministries within your church,

We ask for grace and wisdom.

For those who don’t yet believe the gospel,

We ask for your faithful love.

For governors and rulers in every land,

We ask for your guidance.

For people who suffer and grieve,

We ask for your healing peace.

Holy God, your Son, Jesus Christ has spoken to us the word of reconciliation. We come to you now in the words he taught us, saying:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

And Can It Be? Text: Charles Wesley • Music: Thomas Campbell • Public Domain

God Of My Life Text: William Cowper (1731-1800) • Music: Benj Pocta, Clint Wells, Brian T. Murphy ©2007 Red Mountain Music

GOSPEL READING • John 11:17-27 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Praise be to you, O Christ!

SERMON • “The Resurrection and the Life” (Rev. Eric Costa)

T H E U PP ER ROOM

VOWS FOR MEMBERSHIP 1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly

deserving his displeasure, and without hope save in his sovereign mercy?

2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon him alone for salvation as he is offered in the Gospel?

3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

4. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

PASSING OF THE PEACE • Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

(Greet one another with the words, “The peace of Christ be with you.”)

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE AND PRAYER

WORDS OF INSTITUTION • 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

THE MYSTERIUM FIDEI • 1 Corinthians 11:26; 5:7-8

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

GIVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP (All who confess faith in Jesus Christ may partake of this Sacrament: baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the Gospel, who are at peace with God and with their brothers and sisters in Christ, and who seek God’s grace to live more faithfully for him in this world. Please come forward after the musicians. The glasses on your right contain grape juice for those who do not want wine. There are gluten-free crackers on the table. An Elder is available for prayer upon request [James 5:13-16].)

Abide With Me Text: Henry Lyte • Music: Justin Smith • ©2007 Justin Smith Music 

I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness.

Where is thy sting death? Where grave thy victory? I triumph still, abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.

Heav’n’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life and death, Lord, abide with me.

Within A Crib My Savior Lay Text: Timothy Dudley-Smith, Matthew H. Curl • Music: Matthew H. Curl • Used by Permission

A victor’s crown my Savior won, his work of love and mercy done, the Father’s high ascended Son:

all glory be to Jesus!

And soon to glory we will rise, because of our Lord’s sacrifice,

new life through him, the crucified: All glory be to Jesus!

And this is love! And this is grace! He came to earth our souls to save! And this is love! And this is grace!

That Christ, our God, did come to save! All glory be to Jesus. All glory be to Jesus.

BENEDICTION • Psalm 20:1-2, 4 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!

May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!

~

Remember: every gathering is an opportunity to invite a friend, to introduce people to the Christ-centered community and life of the church!

After Worship • Please stay a while and join us for coffee and conversation. Around 11:45am we start Sunday School—kids will meet in the sanctuary before going to their classes, and adults will meet in the fellowship hall for Sermon Discussion (young children are welcome to accompany their parents).

Nursery Volunteers Needed •  Some of our current volunteers are transitioning to help with Sunday School, so we need some more folks in the nursery rotation (which should be once every 6-8 weeks). Please contact Rainy Aznoe to learn more about serving in this way (rainyrr@aol.com).

Choir • We’re putting together a choir to sing a few songs on Sundays during the Advent season and on Christmas Eve. If you’re interested, contact John Elliott (john.a.elliott2@gmail.com).

Women’s Retreat • Oct. 13-15, Lincoln City. The cost is $85 per person, due Sun., Oct. 8 (financial assistance is available if you have need). Contact Cheryl Boden for details (wu.gardens@gmail.com).

Regular Gatherings • For information about our meetings like home groups, bible studies for men and women, and more, please visit ascensionpc.org/calendar.

Nursery Volunteers (Contact: Rainy Aznoe, rainyrr@aol.com)

Today: Jaques Next Sunday: Childers

Refreshments Volunteers (Contact: Nicole Hamilton, neh.hamilton@gmail.com)

Today: _____ Next Sunday: _____

Worship at 10am Sundays • SE 12th & Walnut, Hillsboro http://ascension.church • facebook.com/ascensionpc • twitter.com/ascensionpc

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Printed songs are used by permission under CCLI license #11109756. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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