Order of Worship for January 17, 2021

PRELUDE:  Prelude on “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” by Stephen P. Folkemer

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

HYMN:  Men of Faith, Rise Up and Sing [Smith]

PRAYER

INTROIT:  I Will Follow You by Tom Fettke

Come, follow Me; come and follow in My footsteps.  Come and follow Me today.  I’ll follow you, I will follow you, Lord Jesus.  I will follow you today.  You are the Way, you are the Truth, you are Life to me, Lord Jesus.  I will follow you today. 

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE LESSON: John 1:35-46

ANTHEM:  He Comes to Us by Jane M. Marshall

He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside He came, He came to those men who knew Him not.  He speaks to us, He speaks the same word: “Follow! Follow thou me!” and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time.  He commands, and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience who He is. [Albert Schweitzer, from “The Quest of the Historical Jesus’]

SERMON:  “Inviters”

HYMN:  Come! Live in the Light [We Are Called]

OFFICER ORDINATION/INSTALLATION  [Please note:  The questions that were asked of officers are shared with you below the Benediction Response.]

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS ASKED OF CONGREGANTS:

Do we, the members of the church, accept these individuals as ruling elders or deacons, chosen by God through the voice of the congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?

Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is He

HYMN:  Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise [Thankful Hearts]

BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE:  Lead Me, Guide Me by Doris Akers/arr. John Carter

Lead me, guide me along the way, for if you lead me, I cannot stray.  Lord, let me walk each day with you, lead me my whole life through.  I am weak and I need your strength and power to endure with grace my weakest hour.  Help me through the darkness your face to see.  Lead me, O Lord, lead me.  Help me walk in the paths of righteousness; by my aid when Satan and sin oppress.  I am trusting you what-e’er may be.  Lead me, O Lord, lead me.  Where he leads me, I will follow.  I am lost if you take your hand from me; I am blind without your light to see.  Lord, forever may I your servant be. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS ASKED OF OFFICERS

1. Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
2. Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you?
3. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?
4. Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?
5. Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit?
6. Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world?
7. Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?
8. Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?
9. (1) (For ruling elder) Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?  (2) (For deacon) Will you be a faithful deacon, teaching charity, urging concern, and directing the people’s help to the friendless and those in need, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?