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TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
October 27, 2024
Reformation Sunday
GATHERING AND PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
PRELUDE: “Prelude in A Minor” J.S. Bach
Readying Our Hearts (A time of silent prayer and reflection in preparation for worshiping God together.)
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 145:1-3, 21)
Leader: Let us exalt our God, the King; let us praise His name for ever and ever.
People: Every day let us praise God, and extol His name for ever and ever.
Leader: For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; God’s greatness no one can fathom.
People: May our mouths continually speak in praise of the LORD. May every creature praise and worship God’s holy name for ever and ever.
INVOCATION
*OPENING SONG: “Better Is One Day” Matt Redman
Acoustic Worship Team
Verse 1:
How lovely is your dwelling place, Oh, Lord Almighty.
For my soul longs and even faints for You.
For here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence,
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Chorus:
Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house,
Better is one day in Your courts, than thousands elsewhere.
Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house,
Better is one day in Your courts, than thousands elsewhere,
Than thousands elsewhere.
Verse 2:
One thing I ask and I would seek; To see Your beauty,
To find You in the place Your glory dwells. (repeat then to chorus)
Bridge:
My heart and flesh cry out for You, the living God;
Your Spirit’s water to my soul. I’ve tasted and I’ve seen,
Come once again to me; I will draw near to You, I will draw near to You.
[Better is one day, better is one day, better is one day
than thousands elsewhere.] (repeat)
SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Corinthians 13:5-9 (Pew Bible p.1808 )
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong — not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Unison prayer after a time of silent personal confession.)
O Lord, who shows mercy toward all whom You have made, take away from us the guilt and punishment for our sins, and in Your mercy kindle in us the fire of Your Holy Spirit. Take from us our hearts of stone, and give us hearts of flesh: hearts that love and adore You; hearts that hunger to know You and desirous of making You known; hearts impassioned to worship You and committed to serving You; hearts that overflow with joy in You. We ask this in Jesus’ name and for Your glory.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (adapted from Matthew 11:28-30)
Leader: In love Jesus calls out to all God’s children saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Remembering the forgiveness that’s ours through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, let us take hold of God’s forgiveness and walk in the peace and rest that is ours in Him.
*All: (Gloria Patri)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 8:5-8 (Pew Bible p. 1756)
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
ANTHEM: “God’s Love Never Fails” Martin/Knoedler
Choir
SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 8:9-11 (Pew Bible pp. 1756-1757)
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON: “On Having the Holy Spirit in Us”
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD THROUGH AFFIRMATION,
OFFERING, AND PRAYER
*SONG OF REFLECTION AND RESPONSE: #434
“If Christ Had Not Been Raised from Death”
If Christ had not been raised from death our faith would be in vain,
our preaching but a waste of breath, our sin and guilt remain.
But now the Lord is risen indeed; He rules in earth and heaven:
His Gospel meets a world of need in Christ we are forgiven.
If Christ still lay within the tomb then death would be the end,
and we should face our final doom with neither guide nor friend.
But now the Savior is raised up, so when a Christian dies
We mourn, yet look to God in hope in Christ the saints arise!
If Christ had not been truly raised His church would live a lie:
His name should never more be praised, His words deserve to die.
But now our great Redeemer lives; through Him we are restored:
His word endures, His church revives in Christ, our risen Lord.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER AND OFFERING
Invitation
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Partaking of the Elements and the Giving of Our Offering
“Holy Song” Ingram/Ligertwood
Acoustic Worship Team
Verse 1
What joy to know You Lord to walk within Your ways
To live beneath the shadow of Your wing
Faithful You will lead me and I won’t fear a thing
You alone my song will always be
Chorus
Holy, holy, holy,
Is the Lord God Almighty.
Worthy, worthy, worthy,
All of the earth is full of Your glory
Verse 2
What mercy to me Lord to choose me for Your own,
That You would make my heart Your dwelling place.
And when I stand in glory and we are face to face,
Surely then my song will be the same
Chorus
Holy, holy, holy,
Is the Lord God Almighty.
Worthy, worthy, worthy,
All of the earth is full of Your glory.
All of the earth is full of Your glory.
Worthy now to receive
Power and wisdom and majesty
Unto You Christ our King
Splendor and honor eternally (REPEAT)
Yours forever
Yours forever
Verse 3
What beauty to behold there before the throne
As all of earth and heaven hail the King.
The Lion and the Lamb our God the Great I Am
To You alone our song forever be,
To You alone our song forever be. (Chorus)
(For those joining with us in the Sanctuary this morning, you are invited, as you come forward to receive the Communion Elements, and as you feel so led, to place your offering in one of the plates up front. For those unable to be with us physically, you are encouraged to partake of the elements in your home at this time. Also, as you are able, we invite you to set aside your offering as an act of personal dedication at this time, either to be mailed in, dropped off at the church, or brought in when you are able to join us in worship. Let this time be one of receiving from and offering yourself up to our Lord — to the praise of His holy name.)
Prayer of Commitment
*Sung Response (Doxology)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
BRINGING OUR WORSHIP INTO OUR WORLD
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY: Stewardship 2025 Andy Miller
*CLOSING SONG: #529 “For All the Saints”
For all the saints who from their labor rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;
Thou Lord, their captain in the well fought fight;
Thou in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle; They in glory shine.
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds and ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
*BENEDICTION: (Romans 15:13)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
*POSTLUDE: “Finale in D” C.L. Koch
FOR MEMORIZATION AND REFLECTION: Romans 8:11
“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- If you would like to help support the work of Hope 7 in our local community, we encourage you to drop off non-perishable food items, toiletries and other hygiene items either at Trinity Church, or at Hope 7 directly (M-F 9:30-11:45), or call Sue Laz (518-892-4042) to arrange for a pick-up.
- We are receiving new or gently used clothes for the Capital City Rescue Mission (CCRM). There is a box in the narthex for donations. You may bring your items to the church or call Sue Laz to arrange for a pick-up.
- Adult Bible Study meets on Sundays before worship (9:15-10:00am). The current study is a survey of the Old Testament with our current focus being on the Psalms.
- Wednesday Evening Bible study (via Zoom) will meet Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00pm. The passage we will be studying on October 23rd is Romans 8:9-11. You can find the link to Zoom at the church’s website under Digital Meetings.
- Note: the church’s new email address is – office@trinitychurchtroy.org (so just replace “third” with “trinity” from the old email address). The new website address is – www.trinitychurchtroy.org (same simple word swap).
- Church “business-style” cards are available in the narthex. You are encouraged to take some to hand out as you invite others to join us in worship.
- Veteran’s Recognition, November 10th — we will be recognizing service personnel who have served or are currently serving. To include someone in this recognition please speak with Sue Laz or call or email the church office with the person’s name, branch of service, and dates of service.
- Operation Christmas Child, shoeboxes and brochures with instructions are available in the narthex. Boxes should be returned to the church by November 17th.
- We will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11th, from noon until 5:00pm. Please lift the drive in your prayers and consider donating blood or helping at the refreshment table for a portion of the afternoon. Every pint of blood collected by the Red Cross can save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. If you would like to register to donate, volunteer, or if you have any questions, please speak with Peter Laz.