Call to Worship

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

Who can stand against us if our God is for us? The answer...no one! Our God is the One who trains our hands for war, and comforts our hearts in times of stress. He is our Rock, our Redeemer, our Strength and our Song, our Fortress, our High Tower, Sword and Shield.

Let’s raise our voices and declare that our God is a great and mighty God and we will worship none other.

God Is For Us
Words and Music by Michael Farren, James Ferguson, Tiarne Kleyn, Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, James Tealy, Rich Thompson
© 2018 CityAlight Music

We won’t fear the battle, we won’t fear the night
We will walk the valley, with You by our side
You will go before us, You will lead the way
We have found a refuge, only You can save

Sing with joy now: our God is for us
The Father’s love is a strong and mighty fortress
Raise your voice now, no love is greater
Who can stand against us if our God is for us

Even when I stumble, even when I fall
Even when I turn back, still Your love is sure
You will not abandon, You will not forsake
You will cheer me onward with never ending grace

Neither height nor depth can separate us
Hell and death will not defeat us
He who gave His Son to free us
Holds me in His love

Psalm 46

LEADER:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

CONGREGATION:
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

LEADER:
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

CONGREGATION:
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

LEADER:
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

CONGREGATION:
The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

LEADER:
Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

CONGREGATION:
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

LEADER:
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

CONGREGATION:
The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Words and Music by Martin Luther; chorus by Tommy Walker
This Arr. © 1997 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Songs

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right man on our side the man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be, Christ Jesus it is He
Lord Sabaoth His name from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

And though this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us we will not fear
For God hath willed, His truth to triumph through us
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

A mighty fortress, a mighty fortress is our God
A mighty fortress, a mighty fortress is our God

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever

Prayer

Our Father who lives in heaven, blessed and holy is your awesome name! You are our Refuge and Strength, our very present help in times of trouble.

We will not fear the enemy, for if you are with us, who can stand against us? For it is not by might, not by power, and not even by superior firepower and technology that we shall overcome, but rather it is by your Holy Spirit! You alone are our strength and song. Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we live or die trusting in you alone.

Keep us from temptation, and guard our hearts and minds from depression, anxiety, loneliness, frustration, worry, false religion, and evil thoughts, that we may be righteous soldiers for you and your people. This we pray in the Name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

How Firm A Foundation
Words and Music by John Rippon and Joseph Funk
This Arr. © 2016 ThankYou Music

How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word
What more can he say than to you he has said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled

Fear not I am with you, oh be not dismayed
For I am your God and will still give you aid
I'll strengthen you, help you and cause you to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand

When through the deep waters I call you to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be your supply
The flame shall not hurt you, I only design
Your draws to consume and pull to refine

Offering Prayer

Offertory:
My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less (instrumental)
Music by Edward Mote (1834)

Prayer of Illumination

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Sermon

The Lord’s Supper

[instrumental music played or congregational singing]

The Mystery of the Faith

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

Benediction

As you go from here, remember this:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will shield you with his wings, He will shelter you with his feathers.
His faithful promises are your armor and protections.

So go out with peace and joy, to love and serve God.